Members' Business: Prevalence of Crohn’s and Colitis in Scotland

That the Parliament is concerned about the reported high incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Scotland, including in Glasgow, particularly the rise in incidence among children and young people; understands that, despite being viewed as an invisible disease, it can be severely debilitating and life-threatening; applauds the work of specialist IBD nurses, doctors and consultants who treat patients with the condition; commends the ongoing research into the root cause of the disease; congratulates Crohn’s and Colitis UK on developing the National Blueprint for IBD in Scotland to improve the quality of IBD services; notes the calls on the Scottish Government to work towards the plan by improving access to age appropriate paediatric and transition services, as well as dedicated psychological support for IBD patients; supports the work of the Cross Party Group on IBD, which raises awareness of the issues faced by people with the disease and the impact that it has on their lives; notes the importance to people with IBD of public toilets, including on all public transport; is concerned at the rate of public toilet closures; notes the calls for there to be recognition, as a public health issue and in line with equalities legislation, that more public toilets are needed, and for this to be reflected in the planning system, and further notes the calls for more work to improve awareness of the radar key scheme, which allows people with IBD to use accessible toilets.