| answer text |
<p>To support healthcare professionals in the early diagnosis and management of inflammatory
bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the National Institute
for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced a range of guidance, including
guidance specifically on the use of faecal calprotectin tests as a way of diagnosing
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). NICE’s IBD quality standard outlines that referral
to a specialist assessment for suspected IBD should be within four weeks.</p><p>NICE
guidelines represent best practice and health professionals, including general practitioners,
and service commissioners are expected to take them fully into account. Guidelines
published by NICE are not mandatory and do not replace the judgement of clinicians
in determining the most appropriate treatment for individual patients.</p><p>In addition,
NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) specialty report on gastroenterology,
published in September 2021, sets out actions and recommendations for the National
Health Service to improve patient care and ensure consistency of care across the country.</p><p>It
is the responsibility of integrated care boards to make available appropriate provision
to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including the diagnosis
and management of IBD.</p>
|
|
