The burden of gastrointestinal disease: implications for the provision of care in the UK

Gastrointestinal and liver disorders are common, but the specialty is poorly understood and has attracted little attention from a policy perspective. [...]it has no National Service Framework, was not included in the "Quality and Outcome Framework" for general practice and does not attract significant charitable research funding, in comparison with many other disciplines. An alcohol liaison nurse in the acute unit covering the acute/community interface is a key member of the team. [...]an essential feature for the success of service delivery is an integrated team approach requiring close cooperation between surgeons, physicians, pathologists, radiologists, dietitians, nutritionists, specialist gastrointestinal nurses, pyschologists and geneticists.