The UK IBD Audit 2nd round in 2008 identified that many services for adult patients with IBD had improved; however, there was still wide variation in the provision of care and many services had not improved at all.
Key findings
Success stories included the provision of prophylactic heparin, more designated specialist ward areas and specialist nurses, and more nursing sessions, but toilet facilities and provision of psychological support still remained very poor, indicating a continuing need for service improvement.
The participation of paediatric sites in the UK Paediatric IBD Audit in 2008 was a major step forward in helping to ensure that the desired consistent, high quality care is available for all IBD patients, independent of age. The 2008 report highlighted that, paediatric IBD services in the UK were consultant led and supported in many sites by IBD clinical nurse specialists, dieticians and psychologists. However, there were still sites where this additional multidisciplinary support did not exist or where it remained inadequate. The report also highlighted specific issues, such as the lack of both adequate toilet facilities and dedicated ward areas.