Transforming life for everyone with Crohn’s and Colitis

Crohn’s and Colitis care in Scotland is at a pivotal moment. Urgent action is needed to tackle delays and poor access to vital services

As Scotland goes to the polls on 7 May, care for people with Crohn’s and Colitis has reached a tipping point. Diagnostic waits are rising, specialist services are stretched beyond capacity, and the workforce is under relentless pressure. Clinicians are doing everything they can, but without urgent action, the system is failing people with Crohn’s and Colitis at the very moment they need care most.

More than 50,000 or 1 in 103 people in Scotland are living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This is nearly double previous estimates, and Scotland has the highest prevalence of IBD in the UK.

Too many people living with Crohn’s or Colitis in Scotland face long waits for a diagnosis, difficulties accessing ongoing support, and anxieties about finding a toilet when out and about.

Without change, these issues will only get worse. The impact on the NHS is increasing year on year and the cost of care for someone with Crohn’s or Colitis is now comparable to cancer and heart disease. Yet inadequate resources and underfunded health services mean thousands of people may go without the treatment they need, leading to serious complications, avoidable hospital admissions, and emergency surgery.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There is real reason for hope – treatments for Crohn’s and Colitis are advancing rapidly, and with timely diagnosis, access to specialist care, and the right ongoing support, people can live well.

We’re calling on the next Scottish Government to take action in three key areas:

1) Diagnosis in weeks, not years

Four in five people suffer through debilitating symptoms for over a month before getting any medical advice. Too many are stuck on waiting lists, with three in five waiting over four weeks from referral to diagnosis, and one in six waiting over a year.

To speed up diagnosis, we’re urging the next Scottish Government to:

• Partner with charities to raise awareness of IBD symptoms. · Introduce a national diagnostic pathway so people get the right tests quickly and receive a diagnosis sooner.
• Invest in endoscopy services to expand capacity and cut long waits.

2) Not just seen, seen by a specialist

Crohn’s and Colitis are complex conditions that require expert, multidisciplinary care – but IBD services in Scotland are overstretched. Many people can’t access specialist nurses, psychological support, or dietary advice when they need it. We’re calling for:

• A national plan to secure and grow the specialist IBD nursing workforce.
• Better access to psychological and dietetic support in every IBD service.

3) A public toilet shouldn’t be a luxury

Urgent and unpredictable toilet needs can make everyday activities stressful or impossible. With many public toilets closing, people with IBD are facing increased isolation and anxiety. We want the next Scottish Government to:

• Introduce a legal duty for local authorities to improve public toilet provision.
• Ensure new buildings and infrastructure include accessible toilets.

It’s time for change. Your voice is essential in helping us to drive these improvements and make this election count.

Make sure you’re following us across our social media channels and sign up to our campaigns network to stay up to date with how you can help make a difference. Get involved in campaigning

You can also read our manifesto here Better Care, Better Lives

End of page.