For enquiries about membership and other information about the charity, call our office between 10:00 and 15:00 during the week. Please note: The staff who work at this time are not medically trained and cannot answer medical questions.
  • General enquiries:
    10:00 - 15:00 Mon - Fri


  • Medical enquiries:
    19:30 - 21:30 Tue & Thu

We run a telephone helpline to provide information, advice and support to anyone living with IBS. Staffed by specialist nurses, the helpline is open between 19:30 and 21:30 UK time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Here are some useful tips to help you make the best use of the helpline.

What we can help with

The helpline is specifically aimed at people who have irritable bowel syndrome. We can provide:
  • support and advice
  • general information about the condition
  • specific information about medications, treatments and investigations
  • advice on dietary and lifestyle changes; and
  • advice on self management and self help
What we cannot help with

Whilst our nurses are all fully qualified, we cannot provide advice on issues unrelated to IBS, such as:
  • advice on state benefits
  • advice on mental health, which is best provided by professionals who know your specific case
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome should always be diagnosed by a qualified medical professional. Please do not attempt to self-diagnose. The nurses cannot diagnose IBS over the phone.
Other sources of information

For other gastroenterological conditions, you are better off seeking advice from the specialist charities in the field: Things you should do
  • Get a RADAR key for access to disabled toilets in an emergency.
  • Get a multi-language 'Can't Wait' card, to help you gain access to toilets in an emergency, from our online store.
  • Join the Gut Trust for help and advice and access to our Self Management Programme.
Things to remember
  • Our nurses are very highly trained and have many years of experience. However bad it seems to you, they have probably heard it before - so do not be worried about sharing your symptoms with them.
  • Think about what you're going to say or the questions you want answers to before you call - write it down. This will save time when you're talking to the nurse the helpline is always busy and the longer you take the more chance there is that someone else is not able to get help
  • If the advice helped you, consider making a donation to the Gut Trust so we can keep funding the helpline. The advice you receive will be identical whether you donate or not - it's just the most useful way there is of saying "thank you".