Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data her Department holds on trends in the incidence rates of (a) Crohn’s and (b) Ulcerative Colitis.

We have no specific plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a UK-wide blueprint for inflammatory bowel disease. However, in England, NHS England is working with front-line clinical experts, patient representative groups and leading charities, including Crohn’s and Colitis UK, to improve diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This includes a new IBD RightCare scenario, which, when published, will set out high-quality joined-up care at every point of the patient journey, as well as data packs for local commissioners.

In addition, the Getting it Right First Time 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. Information on trends in the incidence rates of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is not held.