What steps is the Welsh Government taking to tackle the challenge of the underdiagnosis of coeliac disease in Wales, in light of Coeliac Awareness Week from 15 to 21 May?
The Welsh Government recognises the impact living with conditions such as coeliac disease can have on individuals.
The NHS is currently taking steps both locally and regionally to improve access to endoscopy. Additional endoscopy theatres are being introduced in Cardiff and Vale, and Aneurin Bevan University Health Boards. Health Education and Improvement Wales has supported the training of three cohorts of clinical endoscopists, with another cohort due to commence this September. All health boards are working regionally to develop additional endoscopy capacity and improve service efficiency. This includes the development of a new regional diagnostic centre in Llantrisant and the potential for a clinical endoscopy skills academy. The Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSCC) has also invested in the paediatric gastroenterology service at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, so it has additional endoscopy capacity and a multidisciplinary team in place to support children with gastroenterological conditions.
In addition, the Welsh Government has recently established an All-Wales Allergy Advisory Group made up of a range of healthcare professionals across LHBs, with the aim of understanding and improving standards and access to the range of immunology services provided across Wales. My Officials are also corresponding with Coeliac UK to learn more about people living with coeliac disease in Wales, the potential barriers they are facing and potential solutions to improving outcomes.