Liver Diseases

(asked on 20th October 2014) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions officials in his Department have had with (a) Public Health England and (b) NHS England on the development of a liver strategy or liver framework; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
 Portrait
Jane Ellison
This question was answered on 23rd October 2014

Public Health England (PHE) has a wide ranging programme designed to tackle the rising mortality and morbidity from liver disease. At each stage officials at the Department are in discussion with PHE.

In response to the All Party Parliamentary Hepatology Group report PHE has committed to producing a Liver Disease Framework. This will focus on public health action to tackle risk factors for liver disease and inequalities in relation to liver disease. Work has already begun to bring together expertise within PHE on the major risk factors for liver disease (alcohol, hepatitis B and C and obesity), data on liver disease and its risk factors and on death and dying from liver disease. Many of the actions to tackle the major risk factors require a coordinated approach between PHE and NHS England.

A meeting will be held on 25 November between PHE officials, NHS England officials, Departmental officials and representatives of Charities to outline the emerging framework and to seek comment and advice. The Lead for Liver Disease at PHE is working closely with the National Clinical Director for Gastroenterology. The Department is kept informed of PHE’s work programme on liver disease through discussion and communication.

Reticulating Splines