Health professionals from NHS Lanarkshire’s blood borne virus network and the British Liver Trust have been encouraging members of the public to get their liver checked for free at a mobile liver health roadshow.
The roadshow offers a unique chance for individuals to receive free liver screening and gain valuable information about various types of liver disease. Visitors have the opportunity to undergo a free FibroScan, a non-invasive liver scan, and a swab test for hepatitis C if they are identified as being at high risk. These screenings are crucial as liver diseases, including hepatitis C, can often develop silently and lead to severe complications if left undetected.
Nine in 10 cases of liver disease are preventable with the main causes being alcohol, obesity and viral hepatitis, including hepatitis C.
The roadshow has already visited seven locations across Lanarkshire with three final events planned for:
Bellshill, Morrisons John Street, ML4 1RJ: 10-4pm Wednesday 23 August
Motherwell, Motherwell shopping centre, ML1 1RB: 10-4pm Thursday 24 August
Wishaw, Caledonian retail park, ML2 7UR: 10-4pm, Friday 24 August
Trish Tougher, blood borne virus networks manager, said: “These roadshows have been incredibly successful so far with over 300 people receiving scans across the seven localities we have visited, with anyone identified with liver damage or hepatitis automatically directed into care. It’s important to note that this project, as part of a wider programme, supports NHS Lanarkshire’s contribution to Scotland’s target to eliminate hepatitis C by the end of March 2025. I’m grateful to all staff involved for their enthusiasm and professionalism including the blood borne virus network development officer, the harm reduction team, gastro/liver nurse specialists and our third sector partners: The British Liver Trust, Landed and Positive Support.”
Try out the Love your Liver screener to find out if you’re at risk here: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/at-risk-screener/
To find out more about hepatitis C elimination in Lanarkshire click here and for further information on the work of the Lanarkshire blood borne virus network please contact Trish.Tougher@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk or Chris.Kimber2@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
