When referred to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service, you will be reviewed by a team of consultant gastroenterologists and an IBD Clinical Nurse Specialist who specialise in providing excellent IBD care.
What is IBD?
IBD is the umbrella term for Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). IBD is a lifelong chronic condition that causes inflammation and ulcers of the digestive tract or gut. Although there will be periods of good health (remission), at times your symptoms may become more active (flare up or relapse).
What are the main types of IBD?
The digestive tract is composed of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. CD can affect any part of the digestive system from the mouth to the anus; UC will only affect the large intestine (large bowel). Symptoms will vary but most common signs and symptoms of a relapse include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, anaemia and rectal bleeding.
IBD can also be associated with other extraintestinal manifestations outside of the digestive system such as:
- Eye inflammation
- Skin disorders
- Arthritis
At times it can be difficult to distinguish between CD and UC. If this is the case, it is known as indeterminate colitis. Rarer types of IBD called lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis these are often called microscopic colitis.
How is IBD diagnosed?
You will undergo certain investigations that will be arranged by the IBD team to confirm an active flare or to confirm diagnosis. IBD is usually confirmed via colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, CT scan, MRI scan, capsule endoscopy, abdominal X-ray, stool sample and blood tests. Your IBD team caring for you will arrange the most appropriate investigations for you. Depending on the results from the investigations, your IBD team will start you on the appropriate medication and you will be reviewed by either the Consultant Gastroenterologist or IBD Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Outpatients Department.
Appointments
If you need to change an existing appointment or arrange a new appointment please contact the Appointments Centre on 01423 553373.
Location
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
First Floor
Lancaster Park Road
North Yorkshire
HG2 7SX
Key staff
Consultant Gastroenterologist: Dr Jo Ridpath
Consultant Gastroenterologist: Dr Ganesh Sivaji
Consultant Gastroenterologist: Dr Deven Vani
Consultant Gastroenterologist: Dr Yean Lim
Specialist Staff Grade Doctor: Dr Mary Elias
Staff Grade in Gastroenterology: Faisal Majeed
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Nurse Specialist: Sr Grace Hamill
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Nurse: Kyrie Richardson
Gastro secretaries: Amy Bentall, Kathy Dransfield, Anket Pipial, Lorriane Day, Karen Molloy
Contact
For general enquirers, please call 01423 553373.
IBD patients who are going through a flare up of their CD or UC should contact the IBD flare line or have on 01423 553223. They can also contact this number if they have a medication query relating to their IBD. Flare line is only available on the following days Monday, Wednesday and Thursday between the hours of 2.30pm-3.30pm. Please note this is a voice mail service, you will be asked to leave your full name, hospital number with a brief summary of your symptoms. After 3.30pm and on Tuesday and Friday, messages will not be picked up, so if your symptoms are deteriorating then please contact your GP.