Health inequalities
Health inequalities exist between liver patients and patients with other forms of disease. People dying from heart disease are likely to live an extra 15-20 years compared to those dying of liver disease where the average age is 59. In addition there are huge inequalities relating to social class and where in the country people live.
This is a three year project targeting five communities to reduce liver health inequalities by establishing effective health promotion. So far, we have worked in a pharmacy setting in Blackpool with injecting drug users screening them for viral hepatitis and also been to Newcastle to look at what triggers people on a low income to drink at home. During 2011, we hope to work expand our work in the prison setting as well as targeting ethnic minority groups later on in the year.
The big lottery award for support groups
The Trust has been awarded a 3 year lottery grant to undertake a step change in its engagement with support groups over the next three years and expand the outreach of the network to an additional 59 postcode areas by establishing 112 new support groups.
For more information click here.
LOCATE (local care and treatment evaluation)
Appropriate interventions when patients first realise that they are at risk of liver disease could result in many hospital admissions, courses of treatment, and even deaths, being avoided. The Trust has observed this situation for some time and can see a golden opportunity to introduce interventions as well as treatment in a primary care setting.
For more information click here.