Timely recognition of the symptoms of IBD is essential to allow prompt diagnosis, yet the initial gastrointestinal symptoms of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis overlap with symptoms of other conditions. It can therefore be challenging for general practitioners (GPs) to identify which tests and investigations are needed. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and potentially to worse health outcomes.
Early diagnosis is vital to ensure people get on the right treatment path as soon as possible.
Until now, there was no single diagnostic pathway for healthcare professionals to help ensure people with lower gastrointestinal symptoms got the right test at the right time.
By working together with other gut health experts, Crohn’s & Colitis UK has developed a new diagnostic pathway in primary care, which has been clinically endorsed, providing clear guidance for healthcare professionals Resources for Healthcare Professionals | What's up with my gut?.
Now, busy GPs and health professionals, can make vital decisions about tests and investigations, when someone presents with gut related symptoms.
We have also developed a patient toolkit https://www.whatsupwithmygut.org.uk/patient, to make the process of diagnosis less overwhelming for those with symptoms.
Ultimately, the sooner we can ensure people are on the right path to the treatment they need, the better.
Thanks to the generous support of The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust we will begin work to implement the pathway and patient toolkit across the UK.
Helmsley is committed to improving the care patients with Crohn’s disease receive. We know that delays in diagnosis and treatment negatively impact the disease course for individuals with Crohn’s disease. It is important to spread the guidelines established by Crohn’s & Colitis UK to general practitioners so that people will be accurately diagnosed and receive the treatments they need, exactly when they need them.
Terry Felton, PhD
Program Officer at the Helmsley Charitable Trust
We are incredibly grateful for the generous investment of The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. This award will have a transformative impact on the lives of thousands of people in the years to come – empowering those trying to navigate healthcare and advocate for themselves whilst experiencing lower gastrointestinal symptoms.
At the same time people will receive the right test at the right time in primary care and will be quickly and appropriately referred to secondary care as required.
Thank you to all the Trustees and staff at the Helmsley Charitable Trust for their valued support.
Marianne Radcliffe, CEO, Crohn's & Colitis UK
