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Responses > Gastroenterology / Dietetic Service

Freedom of Information request Gastroenterology / Dietetic Service

Response published: 29 December 2025
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FOI Request

Dear Trust Officer, I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I would be grateful if you could provide the following data relating to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroenterology/dietetic services. 1. Patient Referrals a. The number of patients diagnosed with IBS who have been referred to gastroenterology services in each of the past five years. b. The number of patients diagnosed with IBS who have been referred to dietetic services in each of the past five years. c. What criteria are used to determine whether an IBS patient is referred to gastroenterology vs dietetics? 2. Workforce a. The number of dietitians currently employed by the Trust who are trained or specialised in gut health, IBS, or gastrointestinal disorders. 3. Waiting Times and Waiting List Size a. The current average waiting time for a gastroenterology appointment, and the number of IBS patients currently on the gastroenterology waiting list and for how long. b. The current average waiting time for a dietitian appointment, and the number of IBS patients currently on the dietetic waiting list and for how long. 4. Service Capacity and Referral Pathways a. If the Trust is unable to offer appointments to all patients with IBS who are referred to gastroenterology or dietetic services, please describe the process followed. Where are these patients directed or signposted to (e.g., community services, external providers, self-management resources)? 5. Service provision: • Does the Trust offer any specialist IBS clinics or multidisciplinary clinics? • What patient education or self-management resources are provided for IBS? • Does the Trust outsource IBS-related dietetic or gastroenterology care to private or third-party providers? If so, to which providers and how many patients in each of the last five years? 6. Follow-up and discharge policy: • What is the Trust’s policy for follow-up appointments for IBS patients? • Under what circumstances are IBS patients discharged back to GP care? If any part of my request cannot be fulfilled, please provide advice and assistance as required under Section 16 of the FOI Act. I would prefer to receive this information electronically at the email address above. I understand that I am entitled to a response within 20 working days, but I appreciate that this is a detailed request and the holiday season; if an extension is required under the Act, I would be grateful if you could advise me accordingly.

FOI Response

Freedom of Information Request – Ref: GHC-27122025-226538

Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request. Please find our response below.

You asked:

1. Patient Referrals

a. The number of patients diagnosed with IBS who have been referred to gastroenterology services in each of the past five years.

b. The number of patients diagnosed with IBS who have been referred to dietetic services in each of the past five years.

c. What criteria are used to determine whether an IBS patient is referred to gastroenterology vs dietetics?

2. Workforce

a. The number of dietitians currently employed by the Trust who are trained or specialised in gut health, IBS, or gastrointestinal disorders.

3. Waiting Times and Waiting List Size

a. The current average waiting time for a gastroenterology appointment, and the number of IBS patients currently on the gastroenterology waiting list and for how long.

b. The current average waiting time for a dietitian appointment, and the number of IBS patients currently on the dietetic waiting list and for how long.

4. Service Capacity and Referral Pathways

a. If the Trust is unable to offer appointments to all patients with IBS who are referred to gastroenterology or dietetic services, please describe the process followed.

b. Where are these patients directed or signposted to (e.g., community services, external providers, self-management resources)?

5. Service provision:

• Does the Trust offer any specialist IBS clinics or multidisciplinary clinics?

• What patient education or self-management resources are provided for IBS?

• Does the Trust outsource IBS-related dietetic or gastroenterology care to private or third-party providers? If so, to which providers and how many patients in each of the last five years?

6. Follow-up and discharge policy:

• What is the Trust’s policy for follow-up appointments for IBS patients?

• Under what circumstances are IBS patients discharged back to GP care?

Our response:

The Trust does not provide the service mentioned in your request. Please re-direct your request to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust at ghn-tr.foi@nhs.net.

Next steps:

Should you have any queries in relation to our response, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your request and wish to ask us to review our response, you should write to:

Louise Moss
Head of Legal Services / Associate Director of Corporate Governance
c/o Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth, GL3 4AW
E-mail: louise.moss@ghc.nhs.uk

If you are not content with the outcome of any review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for further advice/guidance. Generally, the ICO will not consider your case unless you have exhausted your enquiries with the Trust which should include considering the use of the Trust’s formal complaints procedure. The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.