An SNP MP has secured a parliamentary debate to mark Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week which she hopes will help break the silence on Inflammatory Bowel Disease while raising greater awareness of the conditions.
Hannah Bardell, the MP for Livingston and Co-Chair of the Crohn’s and Colitis All-Party Parliamentary Group, will use today’s debate to call on the UK government to devote more resources to preventative care and to empower those living with the conditions to lead better lives.
Earlier this year, the SNP Scottish Government launched an awareness campaign to help increase awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis symptoms and signpost reliable information so people feel empowered to seek help from a medical professional when needed.
Commenting, Hannah Bardell MP said:
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to raise this important issue and speak on behalf of those who may have felt, for too long, as though they should suffer in silence or who feel that they lack adequate support.
“This UK government can, and must, do more to raise awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease so we can empower those living with the conditions to speak more openly about its impact on their lives.
“That’s crucial so that, as a society, we can better target support to those affected with the conditions and begin to make the meaningful adjustments that would empower those with IBD to lead better lives.
“I hope to see the UK government follow in the footsteps of the SNP Scottish Government, whose awareness campaign does exactly that – and works to signpost reliable information so those with the conditions can access the professional help they may need.
“It is also crucial that we see more resources dedicated to preventative care, and a situation where IBD services are prioritised and adequately resourced to provide care that is proactive and personalised.
“There’s much more we can do to improve lives, and I hope the UK government listens very carefully to today’s debate.”
