01246 277 271
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) service cares for adults diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (CD), Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Microscopic Colitis (MC). These are chronic relapsing, remitting disorders with no current cure. Often the conditions need managing with a combination of medications and surgery.
The team includes consultants gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, IBD clinical nurse specialists, stoma nurse specialists, radiologists, histopathologists, pharmacists, dieticians and services including endoscopy, medical day case, outpatient departments and some wards. Many others work hard behind the scenes to allow us to deliver evidence-based and quality care to our IBD patients.
We work closely with our colleagues in primary care.
What if I have a flare-up between appointments?
Please contact the nurse specialist or your GP for advice. The specialist nurse may advise you over the phone, or arrange a clinic appointment if necessary.
The IBD nurses run the IBD support and advice service for patients under our care at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
IBD support line
01246 512884, answerphone service. Monday to Friday. Not to be used in emergencies. The average return call time is between 2-5 days of the working week depending on clinical need.
Email service: crhft.
Please include your full name, date of birth, hospital number if you know it and your full contact details alongside a brief message.
Gastroenterology - Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
What is Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU)
After your recent visit to the hospital, you may have chosen to self-manage your condition with support from the hospital when you need it. This is called a ‘Patient Initiated Follow-up (PIFU) pathway.
Mid-PIFU is suitable for patients who cannot be discharged from hospital services, typically for long-term conditions. It gives the patient the choice of obtaining advice from the clinical team if they experience a flare up or wish to book an appointment.
How does PIFU work?
If you have opted for PIFU, when your next review is due, we’ll send you a short health-based questionnaire to allow the clinician to evaluate your condition.
If your condition isn’t stable, or you feel you need to speak to us, we’ll book you an appointment. If your condition is stable, we will contact you to confirm everything is satisfactory. Then we will get in touch before your next appointment. Your next appointments could be by phone, video, or face to face.
Some PIFU pathways may include remote monitoring for example within prostrate or diabetes. Within cancer services PIFU can be known as Personalised Stratified Follow Up (PSFU)
When do I need to speak to you?
You or your carer can get in touch at anytime if you’re worried about your condition and feel you need to speak to us.
Key symptoms that trigger an appointment face-to-face or telephone review:
- Flare signs including frequency, urgency of bowel movements, passage of blood/mucus, abdominal pains
- Raised biomarkers such as Faecal Calprotectin
- Abnormal bloods
- Recent review by their GP for their IBD
- Contacting the IBD advice services
Health based questionnaire:
The hospital may ask you to complete a health-based questionnaire. It will be sent through to your smart device or email address. It’s safe and secure. The message will be from CRH NHS
It will take about 10 minutes to complete. Please ensure that the questionnaire is completed promptly, as the clinician requires this information to assess your condition.
You should not use your PIFU pathway if:
- You want to speak to someone about a different condition or symptoms.
Tell us what you think!
Your feedback regarding your experience with Patient-Initiated Follow-Up (PIFU) within Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) would be very appreciated, as it will enable us to better understand how we might make PIFU better for future patients.
Crohn’s and Colitis Information Service
Telephone: 0300 222 5700
Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri: 09:00 – 17:00
Thu: 09:00 - 13:00
Website: https:/
Crohn's & Colitis Support
Telephone: 0121 737 9931 (Mon to Fri: 13:00 – 15:30 and 18:30 - 21:00)
Gastroenterologists secretaries:
If you call, they will pass on your message to the relevant consultant. Please be aware there may be a delay in responding due to clinical commitments.
Pharmacy Helplines:
- Medicines information: 01246 512655
- Dispensary: 01246 512157