At SASH, we are expanding and developing our inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) service in line with the published National IBD standards.
We offer a comprehensive medical and surgical service comprised of gastroenterologists; colorectal surgeons; specialist IBD nurses; colorectal nurse specialists; a named pathologist with an interest in IBD; nutritional support plus administration support. There is also full radiology support including CT and MRI enterography.
There is a weekly IBD MDT where complex cases are discussed and imaging reviewed. Consultant gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, GI radiologists, as well as the junior staff, regularly attend this meeting. It is an excellent forum to highlight complex cases and to gain rapid inpatient reviews to expedite urgent outpatient appointments.
A weekly joint surgical/medical IBD clinic for acutely ill patients is held in out-patients. This gives patients rapid access to the full range of IBD services as they need them, avoiding the frustrating delay of waiting for a further referral.
New developments
We have developed new treatment protocols for the expedient and appropriate use of immunosuppressant’s. We meet weekly to discuss patients for and who are on biological agents and four weekly meetings are held to discuss any other IBD related issues which is attended by Consultant gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeons, IBD Nurse Specialists and administrators.
We are liaising with primary care colleagues to improve collaboration between primary and secondary care to ensure patients continue to receive optimum treatment and have developed shared care protocols for immunosuppressant’s and Methotrexate.
New close links have been made with tertiary referral centres in London for the management of the most complex surgical cases.
In addition to direct medical care we have also established, together with our patients, a support group as part of the National Association for Crohn’s and coliltis.
Within our local population, there are a significant number of patients living with inflammatory bowel disease. We are developing a comprehensive IBD service, and will always endeavour to offer our patients the very best care.
SASH’s specialist IBD nurses can be contacted by calling the main switchboard and selecting extension 2815, or emailing sash.
More information
NACC: www.nacc.org.uk
IBD standards: www.ibdstandards.org.uk
British Society of Gastroenterology: www.bsg.org.uk