Manawar takes the helm
The IBD patient panel provide non-clinical advice to people living with IBD and work closely with St Marks ensuring the patient voice is heard.
Manawar first got involved with the panel after being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) several years ago.
Traditional steroid drugs had failed to improve his condition but he had more success with intravenous infusions. It was during one of these treatments that he saw a poster asking for volunteers.
“I’m one of those people who likes to know the facts and, if I was going to have this condition for the rest of my life, I wanted to know as much about it as possible.”
Manawar has some big shoes to fill. His predecessor held the chair for ten years but he has a clear idea of what he would like to achieve during his tenure. This includes:
- Increasing panel membership
- Raising public awareness of IBD
- Improving patient experience
- A closer relationship with the hospital’s IBD team to understand what challenges they face.
“Patients with lived experience have a lot to offer those who have been recently diagnosed. I received excellent care at St Marks but sometimes its nice to chat with someone in the same boat as you and share your experiences.”
If you would like to know more about the panel or would like to join it, please contact lnwh-tr.ibdnurse@nhs.net.