Abstract Background Timely assessment and treatment during an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare is essential to prevent complications, reduce emergency department attendance, and minimise unplanned admissions. Traditional consultant-led models can create delays, particularly when demand is high. Nurse-led flare clinics offer an opportunity to provide rapid, specialist assessment and intervention, utilising the advanced skills of IBD nurse specialists. Methods A nurse-led flare clinic model was implemented to provide rapid-access appointments for patients reporting symptoms suggestive of an IBD flare. The service included: • Triage of patients via helpline, digital platform, or referral from primary care. • Same-day or rapid follow-up nurse-led assessment. • Use of validated flare assessment tools, biomarker testing, and clinical review. • Nurse-initiated treatment optimisation or escalation using patient group directions (PGDs) or agreed protocols. • Referral to medical review for complex or non-responding cases. Results The introduction of nurse-led flare clinics improved patient access to timely care and intervention. Patients were assessed earlier, treatment decisions were made promptly, and unnecessary delays were reduced. The service contributed to fewer emergency presentations and helped avoid preventable admissions. Patient feedback demonstrated high satisfaction with the accessibility and responsiveness of the clinic. Consultant workload for routine flare reviews decreased, enabling more time for complex case management. Conclusion Nurse-led IBD flare clinics provide a safe, efficient, and effective model for managing acute disease exacerbations. By enabling timely assessment and treatment, these clinics improve patient outcomes, enhance service responsiveness, and optimise MDT resources. The model supports proactive management of IBD flares and aligns with national priorities for early intervention and high-quality chronic disease care. Conflict of interest: Scott, Glyn: No conflict of interest Brown, Adam: No conflict of interest Forrest, Hannah: No conflict of interest Abreu, Beatriz: N/A Rai, Karishma: No conflict of interest Naeck-Boolauky, Pineshwari: No conflict of interest Loxley, Julie: No conflict of interest
Scott et al. (Thu,) studied this question.