Toolkit for improving early detection of liver disease pathways

The British Liver Trust would like the support of senior clinicians to advocate for effective pathways for the early detection of liver disease. This toolkit has been developed to support this activity.

A key policy objective of the British Liver Trust is to make early diagnosis of liver disease routine. Our campaign aims to better understand existing primary care pathways for liver disease and influence commissioning bodies to implement effective early detection pathways across the UK.

The toolkit provides tips and resources to support making the case to Integrated Care Boards and Health Boards the problem, what the risks are of not tackling growing liver disease rates, and the solutions. The toolkit also includes pathway exemplars.

Toolkit

Examples of best practice early detection liver disease pathways – We recognise that every Integrated Care Board or Health Board is at a different stage in developing and managing their liver disease primary care pathways. We have produced a list of examples of possible approaches to implement full pathways for the early detection and management of liver disease. It also includes condition specific pathway exemplars and suggested pro-active case finding of high-risk individuals approaches.

Briefing on the evidence behind introducing an early detection pathway – This document sets out what is the problem, the risk of in-action and how early detection of liver disease improves outcomes.

Example business cases – We are keen for we are keen for services to share their business cases which can be used as a template for others to follow. If you have a business case that helped to develop the early detection pathway in your area please send it to: policy@britishlivertrust.org.uk. We can ensure all sensitive information is deleted/anonymised.

Example business case for FibroScan in Community Diagnostic Centres.

When making the case for an early detection pathway its important to understand the local population needs. There is a wealth of supporting data and profiles including: The Office of Health Improvements and Disparities’ (OHID) Liver Disease Profiles; The Scottish Public Health Observatory’s chronic liver disease data; the Welsh Government’s Quality Statement for Liver Disease and OHID’s Obesity Profiles etc.

Algorithm and Full Guidance for Interpreting Abnormal Liver Blood Tests or LFTs – These guidelines on the management of abnormal liver blood tests have been commissioned by the Clinical Services and Standards Committee (CSSC) of the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) under the auspices of the liver section of the BSG with input from a wide number of groups including the RCGP and the British Liver Trust.

Local press release template – This template document can be completed and shared with local press to announce when a full pathway has been implemented.