Modelling the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Specialist Nurse Workforce Standards by Determination of Optimum Caseloads in the UK

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the most common forms of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], affecting 1 in 250 of the population in the UK. It is accepted that access to a specialist nurse service improves patient experience and outcome. National Standards for the Healthcare of People Who Have Inflammatory Bowel Disease [2013] defined the number of nurse specialists required at 1.5 full time equivalent per 250000 population. The aim of...