Organisational changes and challenges for inflammatory bowel disease services in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kennedy, Nicholas A, Hansen, Richard, Younge, Lisa, Mawdsley, Joel, Beattie, R Mark, Din, Shahida, Lamb, Christopher A, Smith, Philip J, Selinger, Christian, Limdi, Jimmy, Iqbal, Tariq H, Lobo, Alan, Cooney, Rachel, Brain, Oliver, Gaya, Daniel R, Murray, Charles, Pollok, Richard, Kent, Alexandra, Raine, Tim, Bhala, Neeraj, Lindsay, James O, Irving, Peter M, Lees, Charlie W and Sebastian, Shaji (2020) Organisational changes and challenges for inflammatory bowel disease services in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontline gastroenterology, 11 (5). pp. 343-350. ISSN 2041-4137. This article is available to all UHB staff and students via ASK Discovery tool http://tinyurl.com/z795c8c by using their UHB Athens login IDs

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the challenges in diagnosis, monitoring, support provision in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and explore the adaptations of IBD services.

Methods

Internet-based survey by invitation of IBD services across the UK from 8 to 14 April 2020.

Results

Respondents from 125 IBD services completed the survey. The number of whole-time equivalent gastroenterologists and IBD nurses providing elective outpatient care decreased significantly between baseline (median 4, IQR 4-7.5 and median 3, IQR 2-4) to the point of survey (median 2, IQR 1-4.8 and median 2, IQR 1-3) in the 6-week period following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001 for both comparisons). Almost all (94%; 112/119) services reported an increase in IBD helpline activity. Face-to-face clinics were substituted for telephone consultation by 86% and video consultation by 11% of services. A variation in the provision of laboratory faecal calprotectin testing was noted with 27% of services reporting no access to faecal calprotectin, and a further 32% reduced access. There was also significant curtailment of IBD-specific endoscopy and elective surgery.

Conclusions

IBD services in the UK have implemented several adaptive strategies in order to continue to provide safe and high-quality care for patients. National Health Service organisations will need to consider the impact of these changes in current service delivery models and staffing levels when planning exit strategies for post-pandemic IBD care. Careful planning to manage the increased workload and to maintain IBD services is essential to ensure patient safety.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article is available to all UHB staff and students via ASK Discovery tool http://tinyurl.com/z795c8c by using their UHB Athens login IDs
Subjects:	WC Communicabable diseases WI Digestive system. Gastroenterology WX Health services > WX135 Health services management
Divisions:	Planned IP Care > Gastroentrology
Related URLs:	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32874484...
Depositing User:	Mrs Yolande Brookes
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2020 15:16
Last Modified:	02 Oct 2020 15:16
URI:	http://www.repository.uhblibrary.co.uk/id/eprint/3502

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