Marianne Radcliffe
CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis UK
Crohn’s and Colitis are lifelong, incurable conditions affecting around one in 120 people in the UK.1 For many, early symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed, delaying diagnosis and leaving people struggling without answers.
Unfortunately, increasing pressure on NHS resources means far too many are stuck on waiting lists, dealing with debilitating symptoms that have a profound effect on their physical and mental wellbeing. Often, these delays also mean more severe disease and a higher risk of surgery. People with Crohn’s and Colitis can’t afford to wait.
Invisible, but life-changing
One of the major challenges is that, to others, Crohn’s and Colitis can be invisible. But the pain is real, the fatigue debilitating, and the worry of having to rush to the toilet urgently and frequently looms large.
In our recent research, nearly 90% of people told us that unpredictable symptoms and flares affect their quality of life.2 Plans are cancelled, lives disrupted, dreams put on hold. We need to challenge the misconception that these conditions are just a “dodgy tummy.” As one person I met put it, “I look fine, but internally, a war is raging every day.”
Stronger together
The impact of a diagnosis can be devastating, and nobody should face that alone. That’s where we come in. At Crohn’s & Colitis UK, we are working hard every day to transform understanding of these conditions. We are here to support individuals, change systems and bring hope for the future by advocating for the patient voice and creating a strong, connected community.
We need to challenge the misconception that these conditions are just a dodgy tummy
People living with Crohn’s and Colitis deserve consistent, high-quality care — whoever they are and wherever they live. We recently launched the 2026 IBD Standards: a guide that sets out what care should look like from diagnosis to long-term treatment.
Shaped by over 26,000 patients with input from experts, they’re not just a wish list, but an important step towards better, more consistent care. We’re here to improve lives and drive change. We hope for a cure, one day.
[1] Author/s. (Year). Title. URL Nartey Y, Ratna M, Card TR, Crooks CJ, West J, Tata LJ. Incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease across the United Kingdom, 2021. Crohn’s & Colitis UK. https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/media/pkamxda4/uonreport2021_ibd_incidandprev.pdf
[2] Author/s. (Year). Title. URL. Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Top 10 Impacts of Living with Crohn’s and Colitis in the UK, 2025.
