Health Secretary looks to tackle Crohn's Disease after our reports
The Health Secretary Humza Yousaf tells us "I think there is more that we can absolutely look to do" and says he's grateful for our special coverage on Crohn's Disease this week
Scotland's Health Secretary has told us "I think there is more that we can absolutely look to do" on tackling earlier diagnosis of Crohn's Disease, after hearing our special reports this week.
We've been looking at the condition which affects 26,000 Scots, including our Senior Reporter Lewis Michie telling his' Mum's story.
Gill died last year at just 52, after years battling Crohn's. She'd initially taken around a decade to be given that diagnosis.
At the beginning of the week the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK called for more investment into services and public awareness campaigns to drive earlier diagnosis.
"In Scotland we've got a higher incidence"
MSP Pauline McNeil, who chairs the cross party committee in the Scottish Parliament for Crohn's and Colitis is backing that call, she said:
"In Scotland, we've got a higher incidence, which you would think would merit a much greater level of attention. I've learned through the individual stories, about how hard it is in the early period of diagnosis."
McNeil took an interest in irritable bowel diseases after niece Angela was diagnosed with Colitis - a similar condition to Crohn's.
"She was quite ill until we got the diagnosis. So I've been with her through her journey, which for most patients is very similar - variable - but similar in the sense that it's a shock, particularly if you're young.
"If you're older, it's also a shock to find that you may have had it for years and getting the right treatment that's right for you isn't isn't easy.
"Glasgow is probably one of the best services - not the best, but it's variable across the country.
"So I thought I would get involved in this and really, with the support of Crohn's and colitis, UK, set up the cross party group to raise awareness."
" I was really moved by hearing Lewis' report"
The Health Sec heard our report, asking to meet with our Reporter and third sector groups to discuss Crohn's as a response.
Mr Yousaf told us: "I don't think anybody could have listened to that report and not be moved really, really powerful.
"It was a really brave thing for Lewis to do and for his Mum to take part in, they didn't have to do that, but they were doing it to raise awareness of Crohn's and colitis.
"And I heard also from some of the stakeholder organisations that were represented and I think there's more that we can absolutely look to do in terms of earlier diagnosis.
"I'd be keen to hear more from Lewis himself actually, but also from from some of those third sector organisation but I'm really grateful actually, just for Lewis sharing and his Mum for sharing that really powerful story."