Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash, recently visited Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s liver unit to learn more about the care and treatment provided to liver patients being admitted as the UK faces a liver disease epidemic.
During the visit, Maggie met with medical staff including hepatologists, nurses and other healthcare professionals to gain an insight into latest patient treatment and care. She also spoke with an advanced stage fatty liver disease patient to hear about their experiences and their journey from diagnosis to their present situation.
Maggie said: “It was great to visit Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s liver unit and meet the team that are doing a fantastic job to deliver exceptional specialist care to people with a range of liver conditions.
“During the visit I met a patient with advanced stage fatty liver disease. It was sad to see the reality of the liver disease crisis, which is at an all-time high. We must refocus all our efforts to help people live healthier lives.
“The patient I met wanted people to understand how important our liver is and how we should all do our best to look after our own liver, this means reducing fatty foods and keeping alcohol within recommended guidelines.
“Obesity is a key risk factor for developing fatty liver disease. We need to prioritise prevention measures to reduce the growing liver disease burden on the NHS. This means tackling rising obesity by addressing the broken food system and reducing foods high in fat, salt and sugar. I have raised awareness of this issue in Parliament, and I will continue to stand up for this important issue from the backbenches.”
Liver disease is a growing problem with more than 600,000 people in the UK living with a serious liver condition and in 2021, 11,400 people died from the disease, an increase of 21% since 2019. In the East Midlands, 8320 people were admitted to hospital in 2021/22 with a liver condition and 906 people sadly died of the disease.
The liver unit at the hospital is renowned for its expertise in treating a wide range of liver conditions including non-alcohol related fatty liver disease, alcohol-related liver disease and liver cancer. The unit also has close links with the University of Nottingham through the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, meaning patients are able to become involved in research.