Overview
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
We treat people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Our world-renowned department is committed to providing high quality care and state-of-the-art treatment, to give you the care you’d expect.
We offer:
- face-to-face and telephone appointments in our IBD clinic
- diagnosis, treatment and management of your condition
- surgery, including keyhole surgery (also called laparoscopic surgery)
- nutrition support
Different health professionals work together, and with you, to make sure you get the care you need. Our team includes:
- consultant gastroenterologists (liver and bowel doctors)
- clinical fellows and registrars (senior doctors who are undergoing specialist training in gastroenterology)
- IBD nurse specialists (senior nurses with specialised training in IBD)
- colorectal (bowel) surgeons
- IBD dietitians
- IBD pharmacists
- psychologists
Your overall care
You'll have a named consultant. They'll be responsible for your overall care and be kept up to date with your progress, but you'll not necessarily see them at each appointment.
The consultants are supported by a team of senior doctors who are undergoing specialist training in gastroenterology. Many of them are specifically training to be experts in IBD and are doing research in the IBD unit.
Our nurse specialists are senior nurses who run the IBD Advice Line. They are often your first and best contact for any advice you need. They see patients in the outpatient clinic, run telephone clinics, and give treatments in the infusion unit.
Colorectal (bowel) surgery
IBD treatment can sometimes include surgery. The team includes colorectal surgeons who specialise in operations for people with IBC. We work closely together to plan if surgery might be needed to try to achieve the best outcome.
Diet and nutrition
Our specialist dietitians can give advice about diet for IBD and help you change your diet to improve your symptoms. You may be referred to a dietitian for assessment if you have been struggling with your nutrition, before surgery or if you need a liquid diet. If you would like to see a dietitian, please let us know and we can refer you.
IBD specialist pharmacists
We have specialist pharmacists who help support with the prescribing of medicines. If you are having a treatment that needs monitoring closely, you may have appointments in pharmacy clinic.
For questions about your medicines, email: ibdpharmacist@gstt.nhs.uk.
Wards
We'll care for you on one of our wards if you need to stay in hospital:
Health information
Find more useful information about IBD.
You can also get support and more information about IBD from Crohn's and Colitis UK.
Our consultants
Shuvra Ray
Research and clinical trials
Research is vital to improving the care that you receive when you're unwell. You can help improve healthcare by taking part in research studies at our Trust. During your appointment, ask your healthcare professional about research. They'll be happy to tell you about research studies you could be eligible to join.
Please email gastroenterologyresearch@gstt.nhs.uk for more information.
Last updated: April 2024
