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
Speciality Doctor in Gastroenterology: Dr Aisha Nazeer
Associate Specialist: Dr Faisal Majeed
Gastroenterology Registrar: Dr Sarah Handcox
Gastroenterology Registrar: Dr Eman Alabsawy
Acting Gastro consultant: Dr Anuj Gandagule
Lead IBD Nurse: Sr Grace Hamill
IBD Nurse: Sr Rachel Day
IBD Nurse: Sr Michelle Goringe
Gastro secretaries: Amy Bentall, Kathy Dransfield, Anket Pipial, Lorriane Day
Contact
For general enquirers, please call 01423 553373.
IBD patients who are experiencing a flare up of their CD, UC or have a medication query related to their IBD should contact the IBD flare line or email. The contact details to reach the IBD team 01423 55 3223 / hdft.harrogateibdflareline@nhs.net. Please note both contacts are available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between the hours of 9am – 12pm (excluding bank holidays). The flare line is a voicemail service only. Please leave your full name, date of birth , hospital number, contact number and a brief message. This also applies for any email contact. It may take up to 2 working days to return your call or email. If you feel your symptoms are deteriorating within this time please contact your GP, NHS 111 or if life threating please attend A&E.
Useful links
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- What are the symptoms of IBD?
- What investigations will I need to have?
- Crohn’s Colitis UK
- Bladder and Bowel Foundation
- Disability Benefits Service
- My IBD Passport
- What is Crohn’s Disease? (PDF 728kb)
- What is ulcerative colitis? (PDF 714kb)
- What I need to know when I go away on holiday (PDF 326kb)
- Crohn’s and Colitis in relation to Covid
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