IBD patient urges islanders with bowel conditions to speak up and seek help

An islander living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has urged others with bowel conditions not to suffer in silence. She is also calling for more public toilets and shorter hospital waits.

Nicky Cummins, 50, told Energy FM that she developed the condition after part of her bowel was removed along with a rare tumour in 2005. According to the station, she is one of more than 1,000 island residents living with IBD.

She said the condition had left her afraid to go out or eat, adding: “It affects you mentally as well, not just physically.”

Ms Cummins said that because the disease is invisible, she is sometimes challenged when using accessible toilets. She added that some coffee shops tell her she has to buy something before she can use theirs. She said provision in Douglas is limited, and the promenade toilets charge 20p and do not take cards.

She praised the gastroenterology team at Noble’s Hospital but said “the biggest problem with Manx Care is the waiting times”. She described spending six and a half hours in A&E with a bowel blockage.

A stoma fitted in 2023 has made life “a lot easier”, she said.

“People are afraid to speak up and ask for help, but you shouldn’t have to suffer in silence,” she added.

The Bladder and Bowel Community issues free “just can’t wait” cards for people who need urgent toilet access. Noble’s Hospital takes general gastroenterology enquiries on 01624 650146.