A Nurse who specialises in helping Walsall patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease has become a national specialist.

Ewelina Roczniak, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinical Nurse Specialist at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, is now a Crohn’s and Colitis UK IBD Nurse Specialist, enhancing patient care.

IBD encompasses conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition that affects more than 500,000 individuals in the UK. It can impact on physical health, emotional well-being, social interactions, and day-to-day activities. The unpredictable nature of flare-ups and long-term management can create challenges in work, education, and family life.

Managing IBD involves a combination of medication, dietary adjustments, and sometimes surgery, with care often needed at different stages of life.

The IBD service at Walsall Manor Hospital covers a population of 3,500 people and currently supports approximately 2,000 patients diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), of which around 700 are on advanced therapies.

Ewelina said: “My role is multifaceted, encompassing various responsibilities aimed at ensuring comprehensive patient care.

“These include reviewing patients in the wards, clinics, and endoscopy unit, prescribing all advanced therapies, and providing education to patients, their families, and carers, as well as hospital staff.

“Additionally, I offer support through the IBD Helpline, which handles an average of 2,500 calls annually. The role also involves several other responsibilities to ensure that patients receive holistic, patient-centred care.”

She said the team is seeing a significant increase in newly diagnosed IBD patients and a rising demand for advanced therapies.

She said: “This surge in patient numbers has made it increasingly difficult to manage the workload effectively, which aligns with the challenges highlighted in the 2023 IBD Report. The increasing demand underscores the need for enhanced resources and support to maintain the high standard of care our patients require.

“Being a Crohn’s & Colitis UK (CCUK) Nurse Specialist helps support this challenge. I am privileged to serve as a CCUK Specialist Nurse here in Walsall Manor Hospital and to be part of the CCUK Nurse Specialist Programme. This programme is designed for IBD Nurse Specialists who hold an MSc and are seeking to achieve credentialing with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

“It is an honour to participate in this initiative, which supports professional growth and the advancement of specialist care for individuals living with IBD.

“As the demand for specialised care continues to grow, the role of IBD Nurse Specialists becomes even more crucial in ensuring that every patient receives timely, empathetic, and effective care tailored to their individual needs.

“By strengthening the workforce and fostering collaborative partnerships across clinical and charitable sectors, the CCUK Nurse Specialist Programme is a step forward in improving the lives of people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”