NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme has developed a new handbook pulling together examples of innovative practice, practical advice and key actions to help optimise the care of NHS patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  

The handbook – aimed at clinicians and operational colleagues working in IBD services – is informed by evidence-based publications and multidisciplinary expertise from across the gastroenterology and general surgery specialties.  

It is supported and co-badged by the British Society of Gastroenterology, Crohn’s and Colitis UK, The Dukes’ Club and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. Click to read and download ‘Optimising care for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)’

The handbook also contains an updated GIRFT pathway for IBD.

The new resource offers clear and concise messages, action checklists and links to useful resources for several key areas of focus: the organisation of services, research and training, the multidisciplinary team, access to specialist input, diagnostics, medical management, surgery, data and metrics. 

For example, it is stressed that patients referred with suspected IBD should have access to specialist review or attend a ‘straight to test’ procedure within four weeks, in line with the NICE quality standard for IBD, and that services should undertake regular audit to monitor achievement of this target. 

Elsewhere, with regard to medical management, the handbook makes clear that personalised management plans and flare plans are important tools to support patients to manage their symptoms and should be developed with the patient using shared decision-making principles. 

Appendices are also included on the management of specific conditions such as acute severe colitis and acute Crohn’s Disease, and other important themes like the transition from child to adult services. 

GIRFT’s clinical lead for gastroenterology, Dr Beverly Oates, said: “Across the country, there are many examples of effective and innovative IBD services. However, during our GIRFT visits we have seen that clinical guidance is not consistently implemented. 

“This handbook aims to address that gap by sharing learning, highlighting proven solutions and describing key actions that can be applied locally. In doing so, it supports the national ambition set out in the 10 Year Health Plan, to take the best of the NHS to the rest of the NHS.” 

GIRFT clinical lead for general surgery, Mark Cheetham, added: "Effective management of IBD relies on a holistic, integrated approach, with clinicians working collaboratively - both with each other and with patients - to deliver personalised, evidence-based care. 

“This handbook is clear that effective shared decision-making with patients must be embedded throughout the patient pathway as it is key to ensuring the delivery of high-quality care.”