[Falkirk, 11.02.2025] Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank joined the British Liver Trust at their Parliamentary Love Your Liver Day in January. The event is part of the Charity’s Love Your Liver Awareness Month and was attended by 90 MPs and Peers, who met clinicians and patient advocates and learnt about the alarming rise in liver disease across the UK and the urgent need for early diagnosis and prevention.
This event follows the release of new data by the British Liver Trust, which highlights significant disparities in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of liver disease across the UK. The research, published in the British Journal of General Practice, reveals that while Scotland has improved its liver care pathways, increasing coverage from 42% to 69% of health boards, regional inequalities persist, emphasising the urgent need for further action to ensure comprehensive and equitable liver disease management.
Liver disease is the third leading cause of death in people under the age of 75, and mortality rates have doubled in the last 20 years. Alarmingly, three-quarters of people diagnosed with cirrhosis are only identified when it is too late for effective intervention or treatment.
During the event, which took place on Wednesday 21st January, to mark Love Your Liver month, Euan Stainbank MP had the opportunity to learn about the British Liver Trust’s vital work to improve early detection of liver disease and liver cancer.
Mr Stainbank said:
“Liver disease is a growing public health crisis, yet too often it is diagnosed too late for effective treatment. The British Liver Trust’s work is vital in raising awareness and ensuring that early detection becomes a priority. While Scotland has made progress in improving liver care pathways, we must do more to close the gaps in diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that everyone—regardless of where they live—has access to the care they need.
“It was a privilege to attend the British Liver Trust’s Love Your Liver Day in Parliament and to hear directly from clinicians and patients about the urgent need for better liver disease prevention and early diagnosis. The fact that three-quarters of people with cirrhosis are diagnosed too late is simply unacceptable. We need to strengthen primary care pathways and invest in community-based testing so that we can catch liver disease earlier and save lives.
“While Scotland has made progress in expanding liver care pathways, too many people are still being diagnosed too late for effective treatment. The Scottish Government must do more to ensure consistent, proactive screening and early intervention across all health boards. We cannot allow postcode inequalities to dictate health outcomes—every patient in Scotland deserves access to the best possible care and support”.
ENDS
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