A new service for teenagers suffering from inflammatory bowel disease has been launched by Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The gastroenterology unit has developed a transition clinic which aims to help ease the move from child to adult-orientated health care smoothly.

IBD is the term used to cover the chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – painful conditions which affect anywhere from the mouth to the bottom and can lead to a narrowing in the gut. Typical signs include diahorrea and bleeding, weight loss, failure to thrive, abdominal pain and sometimes malnutrition.

BRI consultant gastroenterologist, Dr Cathryn Preston, said: “The move from paediatric to adult clinics can be very daunting for teenagers during what can be a very important and vulnerable time in their lives.

“Young people need to know they will be supported through this transition smoothly and successfully as it is an important factor if they are to achieve their maximum potential in terms of education, health, development and well-being.”

One young Bradford patient, who is supporting the new clinic is 16-year-old Salma Ahmed. She said: “Suffering from something like Crohn’s disease makes you grow up quicker and it’s made me realise that life is not a bed of roses.

“There were tough times – the long nights, the long stays in hospital, the pain, but the new clinic sounds really beneficial to young people in Bradford because it will help the transition to adult healthcare run more smoothly and give young people, at a vulnerable stage of their life, time to get used to the change in medical help.”

In Bradford, around 1,600 adults and 50 children suffer from the lifelong condition. The average age for presenting with the disease is 11 and there is slightly more ulcerative colitis in children from a south Asian background.