We have recently received a statement from the BSG (British Society of Gastroenterology) recommending COVID vaccinations for all IBD patients Essentially they have made 5 recommendations RECOMMENDATION 1: We strongly support SARS-CoV2 vaccination for patients with IBD. RECOMMENDATION 2: The risks of SARS-CoV2 vaccination in IBD patients are anticipated to be very low. RECOMMENDATION 3: In IBD patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, including biologics…
I attach a link to a letter we have been sending out from the L&D to help advise and direct IBD patients on how best to minimise their risks of picking up Covid 19. This has been based on advice and guidance from the British Society of Gastroenterology and also from Crohn’s and Colitis UK. It contains a useful self…
I have been contacted by several coeliac patients asking for advice with regards to their risk of contracting Covid 19 (Corona virus) due to their underlying condition. To the best of my knowledge coeliac disease does not carry any additional risks to;- Picking up corona virus, or Suffering from it, if you were unfortunate enough to contract it. This is…
I have added a new video hosted on the BMJ Educational site to explain some of the local issues we have experienced with iron deficiency in inflammatory bowel disease To view the 7minute video (click on this link) – Unfortunately, due to our industry code and ethical marketing for prescription only medicines, I have had to remove this link from…
For all coeliac patients – Please read this recent update from Coeliac UK “In case you missed it in our February newsletter, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced their decision to retain access to gluten free bread and flour mixes on prescription. If you missed the announcement, you can read more on our website at www.coeliac.org.uk/nationalconsultation. While…
A recent review of 5,600 people with long-term medical conditions (including IBD) demonstrated that almost 1/3rd of all prescribed long-term therapy was not taken as recommended by their doctors (less frequently or not at all). Frequently cost was cited as the main reason for this. A prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) may be of some help in cutting down these costs.…
This week I notice the BBC have shared 2x patient accounts of their experience of living with a stoma. Both women underwent colonic surgery; one because of cancer and the other one because of Crohn’s disease. For those unfortunate enough to need surgery, these accounts provide a useful and uplifting account of life beyond stoma formation.
We are looking to introduce Pan-Enteric Capsule endoscopy shortly at the L&D. Potentially this could spare patients from having to undergo 3 separate procedures; SBCE, and invasive upper endoscopy + colonoscopy A second-generation colon capsule (PillCam), designed to evaluate the entire small bowel and colon, has shown promising results (NEJM JW Gastroenterol Dec 2011 and Gastrointest Endosc 2011; 75:581). …