Thousands of New Zealanders with inflammatory bowel disease are being urged to complete a survey to improve patient care.
The Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand support group launched the survey at a rally at Parliament on Wednesday.
Crohn's and Colitis New Zealand says the country has one of the highest rates of Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and Indeterminate Colitis, known collectively as inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD.
The group's chair, Brian Poole, says a survey in Europe showed 85% of those with IBD had been hospitalised in the preceding five years, with Crohn's patients most likely to be hospitalised but Ulcerative Colitis patients staying in hospital longer.
Mr Poole says the chance of an early diagnosis is being missed for many patients in New Zealand.
He says the estimated 15,000 people with IBD should complete the survey online at Crohns and colitis New Zealand.
