Since the British Liver Trust was established in 1988 it has actively campaigned to raise awareness of all aspects of liver disease. We work hard to protect the UK’s liver health and fight for better services for liver patients.
The Trust continues to campaign both on the political front and in the media, through policy groups, health service committees and by working with representatives of the medical profession and patients.
National Liver Disease Strategy
Following extensive lobbying from the Trust and other clinicians, organisations and charities a National Liver Strategy was announced in October 2009. Since then, a liver czar was formally appointed and a liver team was created in the Department of Health and workstream groups were formed. The Trust is very involved with the Strategy and regularly attends meetings to ensure the patients (current and future) receive the best possible care.
The Trust believes that the promised new strategy needs to focus on helping the NHS reduce deaths caused by liver disease where 300 people each week die, through earlier diagnosis, improved organisation of services, and more effective prevention strategies.
Alcohol Health Alliance (amend from ALA)
As a key member of this health lobby group, the Trust is involved in pushing for change on alcohol policy. We regularly submit responses on government consultations and also provide comment on a number of alcohol issues.
The AHA is a coalition of 24 organisations whose mission is to reduce the damage caused to health by alcohol misuse and who will work together to: highlight the rising levels of alcohol-related health harm; propose evidence-based solutions to reduce this harm; influence decision makers to take positive action to address the damage caused by alcohol misuse.
Alcohol: drinking at home
Research shows that more people are choosing to drink at home, rather than in pubs, bars and clubs. The Trust conducted a series of focus groups, targeting males and females aged between 35-54 years according to their income), and young adults aged between 18-24 years.
The initiative will help the Trust build a clearer understanding of the drinking at home culture and identify the levers and key influences that make people drink. This project is part of an ongoing commitment from the Trust to tackle alcohol-related liver disease.
Of course we will continue our activity and support for annual campaigns such as National Transplant Week, World Hepatitis Day, and the winter flu jab.