4. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 4:04 pm on 15 May 2019.

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Photo of Elin Jones Elin Jones Plaid Cymru 4:04, 15 May 2019

(Translated)

The next item, therefore, is the 90-second statement, and that statement comes from Dai Lloyd.

Photo of David Lloyd David Lloyd Plaid Cymru

Diolch, Llywydd. Coeliac UK is marking its annual awareness week this week. Coeliac disease is a serious lifelong autoimmune condition caused by a reaction to gluten in wheat, barley and rye. People diagnosed with the condition must stay gluten-free for the rest of their lives if they are to avoid very serious complications, yet, whilst one in 100 people are estimated to have coeliac disease, of these, only 30 per cent are currently diagnosed, meaning there are nearly 22,000 people in Wales with undiagnosed coeliac disease. The average time it takes for someone to get a diagnosis is 13 years from the onset of symptoms, by which time they may already be suffering with added complications caused by the disease. With only 3 per cent of adults aware that the symptoms of IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, are also common symptoms of coeliac disease, Coeliac UK is calling for greater awareness of the similarity of symptoms and urges anyone with IBS to ask their GP for a coeliac disease blood test if they have not already had one. This blood test, carried out in primary care, is simple and inexpensive, yet thousands of people are not getting the necessary testing. As chair of the cross-party group on coeliac, I'd invite Members to join me in raising awareness of this serious condition, and if you or someone you know has symptoms such as ongoing bloating, diarrhoea or constipation and has been given a diagnosis of IBS but not been tested for coeliac disease, think, 'Is it coeliac disease?' Diolch yn fawr.