News Articles 141 - 150 of 160

02
May
CAMPAIGNERS URGE UK GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT MINIMUM PRICING PLAN FOR ALCOHOL
News Type: BASL News

Health, homelessness and children’s leaders have urged the government to implement minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in England.

The calls come as MUP comes into effect in Scotland, where it is expected to reduce alcohol deaths and levels of alcohol-related harm, as well as cut crime and reduce costs to the health service.

Campaigners said that, following the roll out of MUP in Scotland, it is vital that England does not get left behind in terms of reducing the harm done by alcohol. Campaigners pointed to estimates which suggest that, if MUP in England were to be delayed by 5 years, over a thousand lives could be lost.

MUP works by setting a floor price below which a unit of alcohol cannot be sold. In Scotland, this floor price will be set at 50p per unit. This means that a pint of beer containing 2 units will now have to cost at least £1, and a bottle of wine containing 9 units will have to cost at least £4.50.
The measure is designed to increase the price of the cheapest, strongest drinks consumed by those experiencing the worst alcohol-related harms.

In practice, MUP will leave prices in pubs, bars and restaurants virtually untouched, and raise the price of products like supermarket own-brand vodka and super-strength lagers, which are typically consumed by the most vulnerable groups, such as children and street drinkers.
Moderate drinkers are estimated on average to barely change their consumption or spending in response to MUP.

In response to the introduction of MUP in Scotland, and commenting on the need for the measure in England, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA), said:

‘We congratulate the Scottish government on the introduction of minimum unit pricing. The Westminster government should now follow Scotland’s lead, and introduce MUP in England.

‘Cheap alcohol is wrecking lives and livelihoods in England as well as Scotland. There are more than 23,000 deaths a year in England due linked to alcohol, and many of these come from the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society.

‘Minimum unit pricing will save lives, cut crime and benefit the public finances. At the same time, pub prices will be left untouched, and moderate drinkers will barely notice the difference under MUP.

‘Any delay in implementing MUP in England will only cost lives and lead to unnecessary alcohol-related harm. We urge the Westminster government to act now.’


About the Alcohol Health Alliance UK

The Alcohol Health Alliance UK (AHA) is a group of over 50 organisations and works 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

For further information, please contact Matt Chorley, the AHA’s Policy and Communications Officer, at matt.chorley@rcplondon.ac.uk or on 0203 075 1726.

27
Apr
BASL Special Interest Group (SIG) position statement on palliative and supportive care in patients with chronic liver disease
News Type: BASL News

There is increasing recognition that although great strides have been made in treating liver disease, sadly many patients still succumb to it and need good quality health care in the final stages of their lives, which is sometimes lacking compared to other diseases.

In the discussion document below, which came out of two recent meetings by the BASL End of Life Care Special Interest Group, we outline the key issues and suggest a plan of action going forward to improve matters.

Download End of Life Care in Liver Disease 2018.pdf

Contributors: Mark Wright, Michael Allison, Ben Hudson, Suzanne Ford-Dunn, Fiona Finlay, Graeme Alexander and the BASL End of Life Care Special Interest Group.

20
Apr
Liver transplantation in Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis Survey - please take part
News Type: BASL News

Over the last few years there has been increasing discussion about the role of early liver transplantation for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis not responding to medical treatment. Although this is increasingly being considered in France and the US, uptake of a pilot study of liver transplantation for this condition in the UK over the last few years was extremely low. We are interested therefore to understand where UK clinicians who look after patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis see the role of early liver transplantation in this setting and would therefore be very grateful if you would be able to complete this Survey, which has been BASL endorsed, and should take only 2-3 minutes to complete.

Please find to follow the link to the survey - www.centralnhs.com .

Many thanks for your help

Katie Arndtz, Gastroenterology SpR
Alexander Gimson, Consultant Hepatologist
Michael Allison, Consultant Hepatologist

17
Apr
Gilead UK and Ireland Viral Hepatitis Fellowship Programme 2018
News Type: BASL News

The 2018 Gilead UK and Ireland Fellowship Programme is now open for grant applications in viral hepatitis.

The aim of the Programme is to support local innovation and best practice in patient care in HIV, viral hepatitis, oncology/haematology, respiratory and invasive fungal disease.

The Programme invites applications from healthcare or allied professionals who are seeking funding for a project that aligns with the goals of the Gilead UK & Ireland Fellowship Programme.

The 2018 Viral Hepatitis Fellowship programme will support projects aligned to the theme:

Systematic HCV testing (or re-engagement of those previously diagnosed) in at-risk populations in community-based services (e.g. community pharmacy, correctional services, etc) including community-based treatment initiation.

To view the application criteria and apply visit: www.gileadgiving.co.uk , all applications must be made via the online form.

Please note that the application period will close on Friday 1 June 2018 

For specific application queries, please contact the Gilead UK and Ireland Fellowship Administrators on: gileadfellowship@ch-iscience.co.uk .

04
Apr
Hepatitis B vaccine shortage PHE letter - plan for phased re-introduction of hepatitis B vaccine for lower priority groups
News Type: BASL News

Public Health England (PHE) has recently published a recovery plan on gov.uk to support re-introduction of hepatitis B vaccine in a phased approach during 2018 for lower priority groups mainly vaccinated by occ health and primary care.

View a letter from PHE here:  Download PHE letter to stakeholders _hepB vaccine recovery plan 2018.pdf

The link to the recovery plan on the gov.uk website can be found > here

07
Mar
Intercept Practice to Policy in PBC Health Awards Programme
News Type: BASL News

Welcome to the Europe and Canada Practice to Policy® Health Awards Programme

In 2018, Intercept is excited to offer grant support to local and national projects within eligible countries across Europe and Canada. The Europe and Canada Practice to Policy® Health Awards Programme encourages the development of innovative projects which improve the lives of people with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).

The application window is now open.

Please note that the deadline for applying is Wednesday 6 June 2018.

Visit the website here - https://www.interceptpracticetopolicy.com/eu .

27
Feb
Vacancy - Consultant Physician Hepatologist x 2 - Birmingham - closing date 31 March 2018
News Type: BASL News

Job Reference: 304-18C011
Employer: University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust - Medical & Dental
Department: Hepatology
Location: Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Salary: £76,761 - £103.490
Closing Date: 31 March 2018

Applications are invited for 2 x 1.0 WTE Hepatology Consultants (10 PAs) to join the existing liver medicine team. The successful applicants will work as Transplant Physicians within the Department of Hepatology. The department consists of 14 Consultant Hepatologists (including 6 Transplant Physicians and 6 Academic Hepatologists), 3 Hepatology Fellows and 8 specialist hepatology trainees. The successful applicant will contribute to clinical service development and delivery as a member of the hepatology team, working closely with colleagues in the Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, Interventional Radiology and Oncology.

Full details can be found on the NHS Jobs site > here.

16
Feb
ACCEA 2018 Round Open - Apply for BASL support
News Type: BASL News

The Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (ACCEA) opened the 2018 awards round on Tuesday 13th February. The final closing date for applications to the ACCEA is 17:00 on Thursday 12th April.

Application for BASL support
If you would like to apply for BASL support, please complete and submit a copy of your ACCEA Application Form to BASL, along with any other supplementary CVQs as detailed below:

  • Supplementary CV Questionnaire: Research & Innovation Assessment
  • Supplementary CV Questionnaire: Teaching & Training Assessment
  • Supplementary CV Questionnaire: Medical Leadership & Managing a High Quality Service Assessment.

Please be aware that there is a maximum number of supplementary forms that can be completed at each National Level: Bronze and Silver applicants: 1 and Gold applicants: 2. These forms are optional and it is for the applicant to decide whether using them will increase chances of success.

Full application guidance can be found on the ACCEA website including the use of the Supplementary Forms by clicking here.

In addition BASL requires a short piece to accompany your application stating why you feel you should be supported by BASL.

The deadline for applying for BASL support is 17:00 on Friday 16th March 2018.

All applications must go through the ACCEA on line system, should you need a downloadable form to send to BASL these can be found on the ACCEA website by clicking here.

Eligibility
As in previous years BASL are able to support colleagues directly by nomination for national Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. As a specialist society, BASL cannot make nominations for Platinum awards; this must be done through the applicant’s University/Research Body and Universities UK. BASL can however provide a citation to support an application for a Platinum award.

To apply for BASL support, please follow the steps below:

1. Send a completed ACCEA Application Form, along with a short piece as to why you feel you should be supported by BASL, to the BASL Secretariat, Judy.Hawksworth@execbs.com by 17:00 on Friday 16th March 2018.

Please understand that in fairness to all applicants, late submissions will not be considered.

2. All applicants are asked to provide the name of an individual who could write a supporting citation when submitting their application to BASL. ACCEA regard the citations provided in support of individuals as giving added value to the process. The citation MAY be stronger if it comes from outside ones institution.

3. You must submit your own application to ACCEA online by their deadline 17:00 on Thursday 12th April 2018. This is your own responsibility.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/advisory-committee-on-clinical-excellence-awards .

4. If you are in receipt of BASL support then BASL will upload your citation. You must ensure that your application is uploaded to the ACCEA website at least one week before the deadline - 17:00 on Thursday 5th April 2018, so that BASL has sufficient time to upload your citations onto your application on the ACCEA website.

13
Feb
BVHG and BASL Best Practice for ODN Stakeholders Meeting report
News Type: BASL News

Read the summary of the report from the first BVHG and BASL Best Practice for ODN Stakeholders Meeting which was held on the 10–11 January 2018 in Manchester on the BVHG page of the website by clicking here.

The report highlights the limitations of the current HCV treatment model, and provides suggestions on how it can be modified and improved. The report describes best practice examples for eliminating HCV for ODNs to take and adapt to work in their area. The intention is that this information will provide all ODNs with a framework to develop the 5-year plans needed to meet their CQUIN requirement, and importantly to also leave them well placed to deliver on the World Health Organisations goal of HCV elimination by 2030.

07
Feb
Vacancy - Alcohol Health Alliance: Policy and Advocacy Manager
News Type: BASL News

Alcohol Health Alliance - Policy and Advocacy Manager 

For the Alcohol Health Alliance UK based at the Institute of Alcohol Studies
Salary £35,000 per year including London weighting
Fixed 24-month contract

A copy of the Job Description and details on how to apply can be downloaded here:  Download Job Description policy manager AHA Feb 2018 with interview dates.pdf

Or viewed on the AHA website: http://ahauk.org/aha-vacancy-policy-advocacy-manager/ .

Apply for this role

To apply for this role, please send a CV and cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria to Kellie Donaldson at kdonaldson@ias.org.uk .

The deadline for applications is 5pm Friday 23rd February 2018.

First interviews will be held on Wednesday 7th March 2018 and successful candidates will be invited back for final interviews on Monday 19th March 2018.