Liver health checks rolled out around the Humber region to help save lives

A two-year liver health project is underway across the Humber region, aiming to enhance patient care, reduce emergency admissions, treat diseases earlier, and save lives.

The initiative has secured £500,000 in funding over two years from NHS England and the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance to trial Liver Health Checks at various community locations throughout Hull, East Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire.

The project initially kicked off in Hull and East Yorkshire in April 2023, and after a year, it was expanded to include Scunthorpe, Grimsby and surrounding areas, along with parts of Scarborough. The region is one of only 18 sites nationwide conducting the liver health checks project, chosen due to high levels of deprivation and poor health outcomes from liver disease.

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By collaborating with healthcare providers, service providers, local authorities, employers, and community groups, and by taking scans to those who could benefit most, the team aims to detect liver disease and begin treatment much earlier than may otherwise be the case.

Beth Featherstone, a community liver nurse specialist, said: "The Liver Health Check Pilot is about detecting liver disease early so it can be managed effectively and, in some cases, so we can seek to reverse any damage.

"People with early stage liver disease don't always know there is a problem, so in many cases, liver disease is only identified at the point it has become chronic - sometimes when a person has been rushed to hospital. Patients with chronic liver disease also have a higher risk of developing liver cancer, so it's vital we spot the disease early to give people a much broader range of treatment options and a better chance of managing the condition long-term."

A dedicated team of specialists is now providing community-based fibroscans along with lifestyle guidance for individuals considered at risk of liver disease, aiming to assess their liver health and detect any signs of damage. The typical risk factors they're looking out for include having a fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, a BMI over 30, Hepatitis B or C, and consuming more than 14 units of alcohol per week.

Beth added: "We go to lots of different community settings to offer scans because we know that some of those who are most at risk, and whom we're particularly trying to target, can find it difficult to engage in routine healthcare. We visit community alcohol and drug services, homeless hostels, GP surgeries, outreach clinics and diabetes clinics to try to break down any barriers and make it as easy as possible for people to have the checks.

"Not only is it better for the individual that we identify problems early, but it can also lessen the impact on the NHS by reducing avoidable hospital admissions or the long-term requirement for cancer care."

The initiative also employs a dedicated Community Liaison Officer (CLO) whose primary role is to assist particularly vulnerable individuals. The CLO encourages those who typically struggle with attending routine healthcare appointments or interacting with healthcare professionals.

Through personalised support, the CLO has successfully reduced the number of missed appointments by addressing queries and concerns, reminding individuals about their appointments, and assisting with travel arrangements.

Patients diagnosed with liver disease through this pilot scheme are directly referred to the hospital's liver team for continuous monitoring for potential complications, such as cancer.

Despite being only 18 months into the project and having a small team of just four people (project lead and consultant hepatologist, Dr Lynsey Corless, community liver specialist nurse, Bethia Featherstone, community liaison officer, Faye Coite, and data manager, Stephen Brocklesby) they have managed to make a significant impact. The Hull-based team has conducted more than 3,000 fibroscans across East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, with approximately one in 20 people scanned requiring further assessment or referral into liver services due to advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.

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Dr Lynsey Corless said: "Liver disease is often diagnosed at a relatively late stage, by which time it can have a much bigger impact on people's quality of life and be harder to treat. We are delighted to be able to offer the Liver Health Check pilot in our area, not only to help identify liver problems sooner but also to raise awareness of liver disease, and how to reduce the risk of developing liver problems in the future."

Beth added: "The level of liver disease we have identified so far is in line with other sites running the liver health check pilot, but scaled up. This does suggest that thousands of people across the country could be living with unknown liver disease, which is really worrying,"

Beth also highlighted that excessive alcohol consumption is a leading cause of liver disease, but not the sole reason. To address this, her team has collaborated with local employers to provide fibroscans and offer preventative, healthy living advice to mitigate potential issues before they arise.

In addition to their ongoing community work, the team will host a Liver Health Check event in Scunthorpe on January 31. Local residents are invited to attend, undergo a liver health check and/or fibroscan, and learn more about their risks and disease prevention.