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Sep
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Press Release - British Liver Trust
New study shows alcohol service saves NHS money
New evidence being presented today at the British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) conference in Glasgow shows that an innovative new service treating people who are alcohol dependent is having dramatic effects and saving the NHS money.
The liver unit from University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust has developed a new service that has turned traditional ways of treating people with alcohol dependency on its head. They analysed data over the first six months of the pilot service, and found that their new service had saved £78,400 in acute hospital bed days alone, not counting additional savings including ambulance and social services costs.
The Assertive Alcohol Outreach Service (AAOS) in Plymouth identifies frequent users of A&E who are alcohol dependent. They then provide targeted intensive bespoke care that is highly individualised for six months. By visiting their homes, liaising with family members, and other services such as social care, housing, and debt services they are achieving improved health outcomes for the individual patients as well as saving money.
People who frequently attend A&E departments for alcohol-related reasons place a disproportionate burden on hospital bed usage. Although A&E staff are generally sympathetic to the needs of people with complex drinking and related problems, they do not have the resources or training to provide the kind of personalised support that people who frequently attend A&E with alcohol-related problems often need. One in ten people in the hospital system in the UK are alcohol dependent.1
The Plymouth team set out to address these alarming statistics by trying a completely different approach.
Louise Dunn who leads the nurse led service said, “These patients have complex needs and often don’t interact with traditional service models. This service puts the patient at the centre, builds relationships and really considers what is needed for each particular individual.”
Users of the service reported how it had improved their family relationships, quality of life family dynamics, improved health, and enabled them to engage more effectively.
One user commented, “I've never got on with other services as they treat you like they have a recipe book and if you’re not on their ingredients list, they can't help you. But AAOS have thrown away the recipe book, looked at the ingredients, (me) and just cooked with what you've got and that's why I think it's finally worked!"”
Pam Healy, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust said, “The NHS Long Term Plan has recommended hospital-based alcohol care teams as one of the key interventions for preventing illness and reducing health inequalities. This new evidence suggests that this may be an excellent model for how they could deliver their services to ensure that they are integrated and truly meet the needs of patients.”
1. A major review published in July 2019 pulled together the results of 124 previous studies involving 1.6 million hospital inpatients revealed that one in ten people in the hospital system are alcohol dependent. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.14642
Sep
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Press Release - British Liver Trust
Minimum unit pricing in Scotland has had biggest impact on drinking patterns in Glasgow
Thursday 19th May 2019 - Evidence released today at the UK’s largest conference for liver experts shows that minimum unit pricing, introduced in Scotland in May 2018, may have had a significant impact amongst Scotland’s heaviest drinkers in Glasgow where there has been a reduction in alcohol-related deaths.
The research being presented at the British Association for the Study of the Liver (BASL) conference in Glasgow has important implications for MUP in England and the rest of the UK. The key findings are:
• Glasgow City has seen a 21.5% reduction in alcohol-related deaths from 2017 to 2018: 186 to 146.
• Almost half (44%) of the alcohol-related deaths in 2018 in Glasgow occurred before May 2018 when MUP was introduced.
Speaking at the BASL event, Dr Ewan Forrest, said when presenting the results:
“Glasgow has always had much higher levels of alcohol-related deaths than other parts of Scotland. This latest information suggests that MUP may be reducing alcohol-related harm in those at highest risk. More time is needed to assess the effect on MUP on the rest of Scotland and to get a clearer idea as to how MUP might affect the rest of the UK.”
Professor Matthew Cramp, President of BASL adds: “This early evidence suggests that implementing MUP does exactly what it is supposed to – it is a highly targeted measure that improves the health of the heaviest drinkers and those experiencing the most harm from alcohol whilst those who drink in moderation continue much as before.”
Scotland was the first country in the world to implement a minimum unit price for alcohol, following a ten-year campaign by health bodies including the British Liver Trust.
The Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Act 2012 states that all alcohol sold through licensed premises in Scotland cannot be sold below a set minimum unit price (MUP). The MUP depends on the amount of alcohol contained in the product and is currently set at 50p per unit of alcohol.
Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust said, “We are facing a liver disease epidemic in the UK and a major reason for this is that as a nation we are drinking too much alcohol.
“There is good evidence that interventions such as minimum unit pricing (MUP), targeted taxes and marketing regulations reduce alcohol harm. Alcohol taxes have been cut repeatedly in real terms. The Government needs to look carefully at the outcomes from Scotland on MUP so that more lives can be saved.
The British Liver Trust is the largest UK charity for all adults with liver disease., which is the third leading cause of premature death. Their Love Your Liver roadshow is in Scotland this week raising awareness of the risk factors of the disease, including alcohol misuse.
The British Liver Trust urges everyone to take their online screening test to find out if they are at risk of liver disease: www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener .
Aug
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The mentoring sessions will be informal and will cover advice on career development. The sessions will be led by Professor Michael Heneghan, Consultant Hepatologist & Professor of Hepatology at the Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital.
When - the morning of Wednesday 18th September 2019
Where – during the BASL / BLTG Annual Meeting at the Technology & Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
Criteria – you must be a BASL Medically Qualified in Training Member and be registered for the BASL / BLTG Annual Meeting 2019.
Times - a session can be booked in advance and 30-minute time slots are available between 10:00 – 13:00 and are being offered on a first come first served basis. The final sessions will start at 12:30.
To Book - register for a mentoring session in advance by emailing judy@basl.org.uk before 2 p.m. on Friday 6th September 2019. Alternatively speak with colleagues on the day at the Registration Desk at BASL2019 to book a session.
We look forward to seeing you in Glasgow.
Aug
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We are pleased to advise that the NIHR solid organ replacement, transplant and donation call has now gone live and can be found on the NIHR website at https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/1995-solid-organ-replacement-transplant-and-donation-commissioning-brief/21522 .
The closing date for stage 1 applications is 13:00 hrs Wednesday 27th November 2019.
Aug
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The NIHR cross programme broad Liver Disease call has been approved – see https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/1993-liver-disease/21585 .
The closing date for outline applications is 13:00 hrs Wednesday 27th November 2019.
Jul
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Clinical Research Fellow (Hepatology)
POST: Hepatology Research Fellow – Research & Innovation
Hours: 40 hours per week (1.0 WTE)
Contract Type: Fixed term contract – 1 year initially
Closing Date for Applications: 28th July 2019
Interview Date: 11th August 2019
Proposed Start Date: to be agreed
Salary: £
The NHS Jobs link is:
https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/xi/vacancy/?vac_ref=915633643
Jun
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Guts UK are pleased to announce the following funding opportunities. Visit the Guts UK website at https://gutscharity.org.uk/research/grants-and-awards/ for more information and to download the application forms and guidance.
The deadline for all awards is 19th August 2019.
Guts UK Development Grants
Five grants of up to £50,000 each are available to research-established clinicians and scientists for translational or proof of concept research in any area of gastroenterology (including pancreatology and hepatology).
Guts UK Nutrition Development Grants
Two grants up to £50,000 each are available to research-established clinicians (including gastroenterology specialist dietitians) and scientists for research on any aspect of nutrition that is related to gastroenterology (including hepatology and pancreatology).
Guts UK/forCrohns Development Grants
Following on from a successful collaboration with forCrohns in 2018 we announce two grants of up to £50,000 each for research-established clinicians and scientists specifically focusing on translational or proof of concept research in Crohn’s Disease.
Guts UK/BSG Trainee Awards (Individual and Networks)
Four grants up to £5,000 each are available to gastroenterology specialty trainees who would like to conduct research or Audit/quality improvement (QI) in any area of gastroenterology (including pancreatology and hepatology) or nutrition. Trainees can apply individually or as networks.
Please direct any queries related to the above grants to research@gutscharity.org.uk .
Guts UK/Bowel & Cancer Research - PhD for Research into Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis
This new research stream follows on from a previous collaboration with Bowel & Cancer Research into Diverticular Disease and recognises the need for funding in this relatively neglected area of research. Proposals of up to £75,000 are sought to support a three year PhD student research project into diverticular disease. Support will be given to: new ideas in diagnostics, therapeutics or devices, experimental medicine and pilot studies; outcomes research. For queries relating to this call contact Deborah Gilbert: deborah@bowelcancerresearch.org .
Jun
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The tenure of the current BASL Trainee Representative will come to an end in March 2020. As such, BASL are now seeking expressions of interest for this position with a view to shadowing the current representative for 6 months.
To apply for the position you must be a BASL Medically Qualified Member in Training and hold a national training number (NTN). The position is open to all trainees who are at least 24 months pre-CCT from September 2019.
The Trainee Representative will serve on the BASL Committee for a maximum of 2 years. They are expected to comment on all issues pertaining to training to ensure that trainee views are heard, to ensure that the annual meeting and schools of Hepatology meet trainees needs and in addition to attend BASL Committee meetings (face to face or teleconference) as well as the Annual Meeting. A working knowledge of Twitter is desirable and a strong link with the BSG trainee representative is helpful.
Application Process
Please send your expressions of interest to the BASL Secretariat at judy@basl.org.uk by the deadline of 23:59 on Monday 17th June 2019.
Emails should clearly have as the subject: BASL Trainee Representative Post 2019.
Candidates wishing to be considered for the post are required to provide a short personal statement containing no more than approx. 300 words explaining why you want to be the BASL Trainee Representative and what relevant skills or training you have. Your personal statement should accompany your expressions of interest email where possible.
A panel comprising of 3 BASL committee members will review and score the applications to select the successful applicant.
The new Trainee Representative will be announced at the next Business Meeting of the Association during the Annual Meeting in September 2019 and will work with the current trainee representative for 6 months and take up their post in March 2020.
If you require any further information, please contact judy@basl.org.uk .
Jun
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The tenure of a number of BASL Committee Posts will come to an end in September 2019. As such, BASL are now seeking expressions of interest for the following 5 positions:
Treasurer
The BASL Treasurer is elected by the membership and can serve for up to three years, and may be re-elected once. The Treasurer is also a member of the BLTG Committee.
The Treasurer has the following duties:
- To represent the Association in financial negotiations with third parties together with the Secretary or any other person designated for the task by the Governing Board;
- To oversee the collection and distribution of money on behalf of the Association and keep records of all transactions;
- To engage and supervise an accountant who will keep the books of the Association;
- To present the annual accounts, consisting of the profit and loss statement and balance sheet, to the Business Meeting;
- To present the current accounts to the Governing Board.
The newly elected or re-elected Treasurer will take up the role at the end of the Business Meeting of the Association in September 2019.
Secretary Elect
The Secretary Elect is elected by the membership and will shadow the BASL Secretary from October 2019, taking up the role of Secretary at the end of the Business Meeting of the Association in September 2020.
The Secretary is the Chief Executive of the Association, serves for two years, and may be re-elected once. The Secretary is responsible for running the administrative tasks pertaining to his/her function and will work closely with the Secretariat, which is appointed by the Governing Board.
British Viral Hepatitis Group (BVHG) Committee Chair
The BVHG Chair is elected by the BASL / BVHG membership to serve for a period of up to three year’s and may be re-elected once.
The BVHG is commissioned by the Governing Board to:
- Promote research and the exchange of scientific information concerning viral hepatitis;
- Foster multicentre scientific studies pertaining to viral hepatitis within the UK;
- Promote education of physicians, surgeons, clinical nurse specialists and scientists with regard to viral hepatitides and their management;
- Promote interaction between clinical disciplines to promote good care of patients and foster research and clinical trials.
The newly elected BVHG Commitee Chair will take up the role in December 2019 and will have a handover with the current Chair.
Educational and Training Councillor
The BASL Committee has two Educational and Training Councillors and one of these posts is up for election. The post is elected by the membership to serve for a period of four years and may be re-elected once. In addition to their role on the Governing Board, the Education and Training Councillors are responsible for Educational tasks as defined by the Governing Board, such as supporting the School of Hepatology.
The newly elected Education and Training Councillor will take up the role at the end of the Business Meeting of the Association in September 2019.
Scientist Representative
The Scientist Representative is elected by the membership to serve for a period of up to three years and may be re-elected once.
In addition to his/her role on the Governing Board, the Scientist Representative is responsible for the organisation and programme for the annual Basic Science Retreat meeting. This post is a non-clinical committee post.
The newly elected Scientist Representative will take up the role at the end of the Business Meeting of the Association in September 2019.
All of the above posts, with the exception of Secretary Elect, shall be registered with Companies House in the UK as a Director of BASL and registered with the Charities Commission as a Trustee.
Nomination Process
Please send your nominations, clearly stating the position that your nomination is for, to the BASL Secretariat at judy@basl.org.uk by the deadline of 23:59 on Monday 17th June 2019.
Candidates wishing to be considered for election will require one BASL member to propose them and a second BASL member to confirm their suitability for the role in writing.
If more than one candidate is nominated, the Secretariat will arrange for an election of all members. He/she will be elected by simple majority of those members voting.
A personal statement, containing no more than approx. 300 words, will be required from the candidate should an election need to take place.
The newly elected posts will be announced at the next Business Meeting of the Association during BASL2019 in September.
If you need any more information, please do not hesitate to contact judy@basl.org.uk .
Jun
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Deadline: 09:00 Monday 3rd June 2019
The Andy Burroughs Young Investigator Award was set up in honour of the late Professor Andrew Burroughs, who sadly passed away in March 2014. Professor Burroughs was an eminent and world renowned Professor of Hepatology and Consultant Physician/Hepatologist and among his many achievements was his significant contribution to liver transplantation.
The winner of the award will deliver the prize lecture at the BLTG Transplant Meeting which this year is taking place at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow between 17th - 18th September 2019. The winner will also receive free registration to the meeting and £1,000.
Eligibility
This prize is awarded to young investigators, scientific or clinical, who are in training or within 2 years of taking up consultant positions (or equivalent), with an interest in liver transplantation.
How to Apply
Please send one A4 sheet outlining the research and another A4 sheet listing up to 5 related publications.
Please send submissions to steve@basl.org.uk before the deadline of 09:00 on Monday 10th June 2019.
