Chronic liver patients helped attend appointments

Hundreds of a people who have chronic liver disease are being helped by an NHS trust's service that helps them attend vital appointments.

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) said its project, called HELIXR, has seen 480 patients added to its programme.

The service aims to identity those who are living with cirrhosis and have a record of not attending appointments or need help ensuring that they get to them.

Peer support workers, known as champions, help some of the patients with some of the challenges they might face.

The HELIXR pilot is being funded by NHS England and is led by Ryan Buchanan, an honorary consultant hepatologist at the hospital.

"There are significant challenges in identifying patients at risk of liver cancer and keeping them enrolled in surveillance programmes, particularly those with a history of frequent drug or alcohol use, or who are experiencing homelessness," he said.

"The aim of the project is to bridge this gap in their care and help them attend these vital check-ups to receive the treatment and care that they need."

In England and Wales, there were 5,445 deaths from liver cancer in 2020 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is caused by cirrhosis, is expected to become the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide by 2030.

Tanya Walker is a champion and has a history of addiction – but has been in recovery since 2019.

"Here I stand, five years later, in recovery and doing some really good work in the community," she said.

"I know what it's like to be afraid and judged, so I'm here to break down that barrier. I feel like I'm giving something back - I want these patients to understand that there is hope and to never give up."

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