Inflammatory Bowel Disease Service
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease causes inflammation to develop in various parts of the gut, usually the small bowel, colon and anal region. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease of the rectum and the colon (otherwise known as the large intestine).
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect more than 300,000 people in the UK. However, they are thought of as hidden diseases, largely because of the stigma attached. In both conditions, parts of the digestive system become swollen, inflamed and ulcerated. There are differences between Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, mainly in the areas of the gut affected and the depth of inflammation.
At present, there is no known cure, however the symptoms can be treated. Medicine and sometimes surgery can give long periods of relief from the symptoms, which include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and tiredness. Symptoms will vary in severity from one person to another and can follow an unpredictable course with periods of remission (when you are symptom free) and periods of flare (when you have symptoms).
Information and about us
We aim to increase your understanding of your diagnosis and provide the care and support you need to manage your disease and its symptoms. Your needs can change with different stages of the illness. We are here to make sure you get the clinical support you need.
If you are admitted to hospital, specialist nurses will visit you on the ward. We can help to explain treatments, medications and test results. We offer support and reassurance and help to keep you informed of your care plans.
After diagnosis and initial treatment you might need regular hospital follow up or shared care with your GP.
Northern services
Our service is run by a team of professionals working together to provide support and management for patients suffering from Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Eastern services
The Exeter IBD team looks after approximately 3,500 patients. We have a wide range of backgrounds, skills and experience but we all share one common goal: to make sure you receive safe, consistent, high quality, personalised care.
Gastroenterology Day Unit
Our day unit is run by the IBD nurse specialists. We administer intravenous treatments, such as infliximab, vedolizumab and iron infusions, as well as new therapies as part of clinical trials. The unit is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm by appointment only.
Research
We have an active research department. All of our patients are invited to take part in both local and national research studies. Your consultant or specialist nurse will discuss this with you. Please let your doctor or nurse know if you are interested in taking part in research. They will give you information on any studies that might be suitable for you. We have a dedicated team of research nurses who provide an individual service to patients who to take part.
IBD team meetings
The IBD team holds weekly team meetings to discuss patients’ progress. This helps to ensure that you receive the best care from all members of the IBD team.
Contact us
Northern services
North Devon District Hospital
Gastroenterology Department
North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple EX31 4JB
Gastroenterology secretaries
Kelly- 01271 322734
Adele- 01271 322447
IBD Nurse Advice Line Service 01271 314005
ndht.ibdnurse@nhs.net
Eastern services
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
- RD&E Switch Board: 01392 411611
- IBD advice line: 01392 402728
- Gastroenterology Day Unit: 01392 404638
- Research Nurses: 01392 408937 and 01392 408940
- Okement Ward: 01392 402800
- Endoscopy Appointment: 01392 406429
- Medical Bookings Team: 01392 406925
For symptom concerns and medicine enquiries, we have a dedicated telephone and email advice line.
- Telephone advice line: 01392 402728, open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays (unless otherwise stated on answer machine message)
- Email advice line: rde-tr.IBDhelpline@nhs.net
We will provide you with rapid access to our specialist service; if you are unwell with symptoms of active IBD, have queries regarding your medications or any other IBD-related concerns. We can arrange investigation of your symptoms, review your medications and, if necessary, arrange urgent hospital review. There is an answer phone service available which we encourage you to use if your call is not answered. We aim to return your call within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. If your call is urgent and you are unable to speak with the IBD team directly, please contact your GP or out-of-hours service. If, in the rare event the advice line is closed, a message will clearly state the date and time it will re-open.
For outpatient appointment queries please contact the Medical Bookings Team on 01392 406925.
Northern services
North Devon District Hospital
01392 402728
Gastroenterology secretaries
Kelly- 01271 322734
Adele- 01271 322447
IBD Nurse Advice Line Service 01271 314005
Eastern services
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Main switchboard on 01392 411611
- Endoscopy Appointment: 01392 406429
- Medical Bookings Team: 01392 406925
- Okement Ward: 01392 402800
- IBD advice line: 01392 402728
- Research Nurses: 01392 408937 and 01392 408940
For symptom concerns and medicine enquiries, we have a dedicated telephone advice line.
- Telephone advice line: 01392 402728, open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays (unless otherwise stated on answer machine message)
We aim to provide you with rapid access to our specialist service; if you are unwell with symptoms of active IBD, have queries regarding your medications or any other IBD-related concerns. We can arrange investigation of your symptoms, review your medications and, if necessary, arrange urgent hospital review. The advice line is an answerphone service, it is not an emergency service. We aim to return your call as soon as possible and within 3 working days. However, in busy periods this may take a little longer. When leaving a message please ensure you leave your name, NHS or hospital number, date of birth and a brief reason for your call. By doing this we are able to proritise calls and ensure the relevant person gets back to you. If you are unwell and can not wait for a call back, please contact your GP, the 111 service or if very unwell, the emergency department. If, in the rare event the advice line is closed, a message will clearly state the date and time it will re-open.
Where to find us
Your letter, appointment reminder or healthcare professional will advise you where your appointment will take place. If you are unsure please ask. Please be aware that your appointment may take place at one of our outpatient clinics situated within our main hospital sites or within the community, these include Exeter, Barnstaple, Tiverton, Sidmouth, Okehampton and Exmouth Hospitals.
Northern Services
North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB
Eastern services
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW
Exeter Community Hospital (Whipton)
Hospital Lane
Exeter
EX1 3RB
Our Infusion Suite is located at the Exeter Community Hospital (Whipton) and is strictly by appointment only. We do not offer a drop in service.
Endoscopy Unit and other useful information
You may be invited to have you procedure at Exeter or Tiverton
Tiverton Endoscopy Diagnostic Unit
Tiverton and District Hospital
Kennedy Way
Tiverton
EX16 6N
Telephone: 01392 404760.
The Endoscopy Unit, Wonford (Exeter)
Level 2, Area N
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Barrack Road
Exeter
EX2 5DW
Telephone: 01392 402400
Endoscopy services North (Gemini Suite)
Level 0, Endoscopy
North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB
Telephone: 01271 349180
Our dedicated gastroenterology ward at Exeter is Okement Ward: Level 2, Area F. 01392 402800
Meet the team
Northern services
Consultant Gastroenterologists:
Dr Andrew Davis
Dr Richard Appleby
Consultant Colorectal Surgeons:
Mrs Katie Cross - Lead for Surgical IBD
Nurse Endoscopist
Tanja Brackenbury
Clinical Nurse Specialist- IBD Gastroenterology
Monica Chan - Clinical Nurse Manager
Cherrie Fothergill
Nutrition Nurse
Stephanie Foster
Medical Secretaries/ Administrative Support
Adele Atherton
Kelly Adams
Barbara Saunders
Eastern services
Leadership team
- Rebecca Ody, Cluster Manager
- Ben Brierley, Lead Nurse
- Dr Ben Hudson, Lead Clinician
- Dr John Rogers, Endoscopy Clinical Lead
Consultants
- Dr Shyam Prasad
- Dr Chris Calvert
- Dr Tarek Shirazi
- Dr John Christie
- Prof Tariq Ahmad
- Dr Nick Kennedy
- Dr James Goodhand
- Dr Lin Lee Wong
- Dr Ben Hudson
- Dr Christina Levick
- Dr Emma Saunsbury
- Dr Jane Chalmers
- Dr Jonathan Digby-Bell
- Dr John Rogers
- Dr Jennie Clough
- Dr Phoebe Hodges
- Dr Tom Archer
IBD Specialist Nurses
- Vida Cairnes, Advanced Practitioner
- Sarah Hawkins, Clinical Nurse Manager
- Michelle Clarke
- Clare Redstone
- Nina Winter
- Halina Daniels
- Sally Payton
Supporting you
The IBD patient panel, in conjunction with the Crohn's and Colitis UK Exeter & District group, hold monthly patient support group meetings. These are on the last Thursday of every month except December. The meetings are patient led and the format is very relaxed. The meetings are a mix of general support meetings and talks from guest speakers. To receive an email reminder for the meetings and occasional information please email- IBDpatientspanel@gmail.com and ask to be added to the mailing list.
In addition to the regular meetings the patient panel meet up to 4 times a year to discuss the service provision for IBD patients. The patient panel are a group of patients with IBD who highlight the perspective of patients. They provide feedback and suggestions to improve the IBD services within the hospital and work towards enabling improvements to happen. New members are always very welcome. If you are interested in joining or simply have any ideas to put forward the patient panel would love to hear from you. The IBD nurses will be happy to pass on your contact details or you can email directly IBDpatientspanel@gmail.com
Services and treatments
Treatments can vary but can include a range of medicines and other options, such as:
Aminosalicylates (5ASA),Immunomodulating therapies, Biologics, Jak inhibitors, Corticosteroids, and dietary therapies. We recommend you look at the Crohn’s and Colitis UK website for further information on treatments.
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.