Life in Lockdown Survey Results
As you will be very well aware, IBD services have been disrupted one way or another by the coronavirus pandemic and we know there has been an impact on you and on patient care. Our Life in Lockdown survey gave us an insight into how services have been impacted by the pandemic from the patient perspective – we received 7,666 responses from people with Crohn’s and Colitis. Look at our blog to find out more about the results and how you can use them.
Information and Resources for Patients
For regularly updated information about Covid-19, please continue to signpost patients to our website: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/news/coronavirus-covid-19-advice
We have recently published a list of the ‘Top 8 things to do after a Crohn’s or Colitis diagnosis’, to help people who are new to the conditions navigate the wealth of information and support available to them. You can signpost patients to the new page using this link: www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/new-diagnosis
We have also added a new blog for patients ‘Top tips for getting the most out of your virtual appointment’. This blog answers questions or concerns for patients who have not had a telephone or video appointment before and gives clear tips for before, during and after the appointment.
While we cannot currently mail out patient packs, our online information is a great free resource that you can still signpost patients to.
Flu vaccination
We have called for everyone with Crohn’s or Colitis to have free access to the flu vaccine on the NHS this season, in a joint letter from our Chief Executive Sarah Sleet and the Presidents of the British Society of Gastroenterology and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
As you’ll know, the NHS guidelines on whether people with Crohn’s and Colitis are eligible to free vaccinations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are open to interpretation. Please encourage patients you consider eligible to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible. To help them with this, you can click here to download our open letter to vaccine providers explaining who with Crohn’s or Colitis is eligible for the free flu vaccine.
GINcast: Gastrointestinal Nursing Podcast
Episode 3 of GINcast explores how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way IBD nurses deliver care to patients with Crohn’s and Colitis. Listen to the podcast here.
Do get in touch with us at healthservices@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk if you have any queries.
Sue Protheroe
BSPGHAN President
President@bspghan.org.uk