A new clinic for patients managing inflammatory bowel disease has been set up at Walsall Manor Hospital.

The joint Gastroenterology Medical and Surgical Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Clinic is an innovative and exciting new service which will optimise patients’ access to multidisciplinary expert care in IBD.

As IBD can be complex, it was set up to provide effective and efficient holistic care to patients.

This is so that in line with the IBD UK standards, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust can aim to provide high quality, consistent and personalised care for patients in its IBD unit.

Consultant Gastroenterologist and IBD Service Lead, Dr Nidhi Sagar said:

“We recognise that a multidisciplinary team enhances the patient experience and outcomes therefore having a regular joint clinic aims to deliver the best possible care for our IBD patients.”

This joint approach benefits both staff and patients.

It will benefit patients because it is a one-stop clinic where IBD patients can consult both a Gastroenterologist and Surgeon together, allowing for reduced visits to the hospital for appointments. This allows for better quality of care and timely management of complex cases through joint decision making.

Jasbir Nahal, IBD Specialist Nurse said:

“This joint clinic means we have a more streamlined service which makes it even more beneficial to patients as we manage them jointly with the colorectal and the gastroenterology team.”

It will benefit staff because it is effective in making prompt and best decisions for patients with complex needs. It also allows both the medical and surgical teams to support the patient together in offering options available to them and addressing their questions.

Enhanced Recovery Clinical Nurse Specialist Kate Adams and Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist, Rebecca Pace, said:

“It is an exciting time to work alongside gastroenterology for a multidisciplinary approach of care, to ensure a smooth transition period from gastroenterology to colorectal surgery, involving Enhanced Recovery and stoma care.”

The teams are aiming to have this clinic once a month or every other month and so far patient feedback has been encouraging.

Well done to all those involved in making this happen:

• Consultant Colorectal and IBD Lead Surgeon – Mr Naseem Waraich
• Consultant Gastroenterologist and IBD Service Lead – Dr Nidhi Sagar
• IBD Specialist Nurse – Jasbir Nahal
• IBD Specialist Nurse – Louisa Bridgwood
• Enhanced Recovery Clinical Nurse Specialist – Kate Adams
• Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist – Rebecca Pace