Preparing for an IBD appointment: a practical checklist

Start your appointment note with the concern you most want help with. Use paper or your phone, whichever you prefer.

Do not wait for the appointment if symptoms are worsening or worrying you. Contact your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) team or GP sooner. Severe tummy pain or heavy or non-stop rectal bleeding needs 999 or A&E, as set out in NHS guidance. Our flare-up guide explains the help routes in more detail.

Make a brief symptom note

Note bowel frequency, urgency, blood or mucus, stool consistency, pain and tiredness. Include approximate dates and the effect on daily life.

Try these headings for your note:

• Main concern
• Changes since my last review
• Questions
• Agreed actions

This suggested layout is an organising aid, not a symptom score.

Gather medicines and test information

List current medicines, allergies, anything bought without a prescription and any difficulty using treatment. Note medicines you stopped and why. Check whether your team wants tests beforehand; bring existing results where possible.

Blood tests may assess inflammation or anaemia; stool tests may look for infection or inflammation. Your team decides what is appropriate. Crohn’s & Colitis UK explains these tests.

Choose questions and check arrangements

Prioritise questions about treatment, monitoring and flare-up plans. Check who you are seeing and how. Request language support or bring a companion if helpful.

Leave with named next steps

Confirm who arranges tests, supplies prescriptions and communicates results, and when to follow up. Get contact details; IBD advice lines are not emergency services.

Record agreed actions beside your questions before finishing.