Fame Academy star calls for better access to gastroenterology specialists

Ms Grant, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease aged 20, said gastroenterology nurse specialists are key to helping people understand inflammatory bowel disease, and how to live with conditions such as Crohn’s and Colitis.

Speaking at a reception at Number 11 Downing Street last week to raise awareness of gastroenterological conditions, Ms Grant said: ‘I want to understand my illness, and the only way I am going to be able to do this is to have specialist nurses accessible to me at all times of the day.

‘Wherever I happen to be in the UK, I want to know that I can pick up a phone and ask questions. This should be on offer to everybody, wherever they are on the spectrum,’ she added.

Since 2005, the National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s disease (NACC) has been running a campaign to increase the number of IBD nurse specialists.

Ms Grant has worked closely with NACC since the campaign began, and was recently appointed an ambassador for the organisation.

NACC chief executive, Richard Driscoll, said: ‘There has been real progress and real recognition of the value of the IBD nurse specialist, but we still have a long way to go.

‘Carrie has helped significantly with the campaign, and we are very grateful to her for all her support,’ he added.

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment.