This report details the activity and outcomes of a series of design led workshops involving stakeholders of Gastroenterology services in the NHS Scotland.

Participants came from 20 specialists’ areas and 9 different NHS Board areas, giving both a broad geographic and functional reach.

The first step for the workshops was to identify common Gastroenterology patient symptoms, noting their importance. Issues were mapped for each symptom and areas to focus on agreed.

Further discussion around these focus areas led to suggestions for sustainable improvement to Gastroenterology services.

These ranged from better support for patient self-management, the suggestion of a more dynamic relationship between primary and secondary care to better use of community dietetics.

Future work will involve national support to ensure the Gastroenterology community, along with primary care partners are supported to make the necessary changes to ensure efficient and effective patient pathways are achieved.