Community Liver Health Checks is a service offered by West Yorkshire Liver Care Operational Delivery Network (WYLCODN) which aims to screen at risk populations for liver disease. For more information visit our FAQs below:
The NHS England Hepatitis C Elimination Programme is working towards a shared goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a major public health issue in England, ahead of the World Health Organisation (WHO) goal of 2030. We are on track to eliminate chronic hepatitis C by 2025.
The Programme involves a close collaboration between NHS England, the Hepatitis C Trust, Operational Delivery Networks, the pharma industry, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSE) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHA). Together, we are working to eliminate the virus. The HCV Elimination Programme works in collaboration with three pharmaceutical companies who have developed ground-breaking direct acting antiviral medicines for hepatitis C. Gilead, MSD and AbbVie work with NHS England to identify and treat everyone who needs it. Treatment for hepatitis C in England is delivered through 24 Operational Delivery Networks.
Fibroscan is a specialised type of scan used to assess the liver. It measures two different things:
- How much fibrosis (scarring) there is in the liver
- How much fat is in the liver
It can be used alone or with other tests (such as blood tests, other scans, or biopsies) to assess how much fat and scarring is in the liver. It is a simple, quick and painless test that uses high frequency sound waves. The scan gives immediate results. It is non-invasive, which means that it does not break the skin or enter your body.
Having a fibroscan will help your doctor to understand how much fat and scarring is in the liver. This will help to plan follow up and any treatment that may be needed. Early identification of liver problems can help us act to reduce the risk of them getting worse and prevent more serious problems in the future.
There are many causes of scarring or fat in the liver. The most common causes of these are:
- Drinking too much alcohol over many years
- Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which is associated with being overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This can cause liver disease even if you don’t drink alcohol
- Being infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C
A liver doctor will look at the results of the scan. If there is any suggestion of scarring then all previous blood tests and other results will be reviewed by a liver specialist to determine if an appointment (usually telephone) is required with the hospital team.
If there is no evidence of scarring in the liver, then a further appointment with the liver team will not be needed.
A normal scan is good news; however, people can still be at risk of going on to develop liver problems in the future if they do not look after their liver.