Local Assembly Member Paul Davies is supporting international Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week from the 1st to the 7th December; highlighting the impact of living with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis¹, the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). These are unpredictable diseases that affect more than 300,000² people in the UK and approximately 15,000 people in Wales.

National patient charity, Crohn’s and Colitis UK³, have joined other international groups to raise the awareness and understanding of these complex, life-long and potentially life-threatening conditions. Living with IBD can have a huge impact on every aspect of a person’s life, with serious physical and mental health implications.

Mr Davies said, “I’m proud to be supporting Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week. It’s so important to raise awareness of the impact of living with these bowel diseases, so that decision-makers can better understand some of the challenges that those living with these conditions face. The Welsh Government must seriously take on board the concerns of people living with bowel disease and ensure that they have access to the care and support that they need. This week I urge everyone across Pembrokeshire to try and reach out to more people who may be feeling isolated or coping badly with Crohn’s and Colitis in our community.”