Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently experience complex disease trajectories requiring coordinated medical and surgical input. Traditional models, where surgical and gastroenterology reviews occur in isolation, can contribute to delays in decision-making, fragmented communication, and inconsistent treatment planning. Establishing a joint surgical–IBD clinic offers an opportunity to streamline care, enhance multidisciplinary collaboration, and optimise timely access to surgical intervention. Methods A service evaluation was conducted after launching a joint clinic involving gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, IBD nurse specialists, dietitians, and radiology support. Clinic processes, referral pathways, waiting times, and patient feedback were evaluated using mixed-method analysis and multidisciplinary team (MDT) review. Results The joint clinic enabled earlier identification of patients requiring surgical review and reduced the interval between referral and specialist consultation. Real-time collaborative discussions allowed consistent decision-making, streamlined treatment planning, and improved optimisation of patients before surgery. Staff reported enhanced communication and reduced duplication of appointments, while patient feedback highlighted improved understanding of treatment options and greater confidence in shared clinical decisions. Conclusion The joint surgical–IBD clinic demonstrated clear benefits in promoting timely surgical intervention, improving multidisciplinary communication, and enhancing the overall patient experience. By integrating expertise into a single coordinated pathway, the clinic strengthens continuity, reduces inefficiencies, and supports holistic, patient-centred management of complex IBD. This model represents an effective and sustainable approach to modern IBD care and offers a framework for wider adoption across services seeking to improve multidisciplinary collaboration and clinical outcomes. The findings highlight the significant value of joint surgical–IBD clinics in enhancing timeliness, communication, and quality of care. The model aligns with broader initiatives emphasising integrated care, MDT collaboration, and value-based healthcare. The reduction in delays to surgical review is particularly important, as unmet surgical need can worsen outcomes, increase emergency surgery rates, and negatively affect quality of life. The clinic structure also supports shared decision-making—a critical element of modern IBD care. While the model was well received, it requires coordinated scheduling, dedicated staffing, and strong collaborative culture. Scalability may vary by institution size and resource availability. Conflict of interest: Scott, Glyn: No conflict of interest Preziosi, Giuseppe: No conflict of interest
Scott et al. (Thu,) studied this question.