People are waiting too long for a diagnosis of Crohn’s or Colitis. Living with debilitating symptoms without treatment has a big impact on their lives.
Crohn’s and Colitis are not well-understood, so someone with symptoms might not realise they need to seek help. The symptoms overlap with other conditions, making it hard for GPs to spot possible Crohn’s or Colitis. And the systems are not always in place to ensure people are seen quickly by a specialist.
We are working to make the IBD Standards a reality. The IBD Standards set out what high-quality care should look like, from first symptoms to diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.
We believe it’s fundamental that people with Crohn’s and Colitis are involved in the decisions about how healthcare is delivered - no project or service will be as good as it could be without the input of people affected by the conditions.
None of our award-winning campaigns would be possible without our amazing community of dedicated campaigners. Your powerful voice really does matter.
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Last updated: 22/07/2026
Our Helpline team can't take calls, chats or ring you back for the rest of the summer. But you can still reach us by email.
If you need to contact the team, please email helpline@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk and we'll answer you as soon as possible.
Thanks for bearing with us.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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