An innovative East Midlands project to improve diagnosis of liver disease is highlighted in a national report launched today (6/11/18) by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP.

The ‘Scarred Liver Pathway’ is an East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) supported initiative which aims to diagnose liver disease earlier. It is featured as a case study in a national report published this week giving examples of pioneering NHS sites that are improving patient care through innovation.  Understanding how and why the NHS adopts innovation captures insight and learning from successfully implemented innovations ranging from digital to patient safety devices and models of care.

The Scarred Liver Pathway - developed in Nottingham and now adopted and commissioned by four East Midlands Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) - is recognised by the report for its work in adopting new technology and streamlining clinical pathways to improve patient outcomes.

Said Mr Hancock: “There are pioneers across the NHS working incredibly hard to implement new technologies to support staff, make every pound go further and improve outcomes for patients - and they should be applauded for their resilience, commitment and tenacity.”

The Scarred Liver Project combines identification of patients at risk due to lifestyle with a mobile scanner diagnostic test - Fibroscan®. The mobile scanner provides a more accurate indication of scarring than a Liver Function Test (LFT) and is painless and non-invasive - removing the need for biopsy. Results are immediate, allowing clinicians to agree a treatment path with the patient during the same appointment.

• 338 patients referred for a scan per month (July 2018) compared to 58 per month (July 2016)
• Patients making significant lifestyle changes after visiting the day clinic for fibroscanning, thereby reducing their risk of developing liver disease.

Mike Hannay, Managing Director at EMAHSN, said: “The successful adoption of new technologies and innovation in the NHS supports improved clinical outcomes, patient empowerment, reduced health inequalities, and savings to the health and care system. It is fantastic for our work to be featured in such a high profile report, highlighting the critical role of AHSNs as part of the NHS innovation infrastructure.”

Dr Hugh Porter, GP and Clinical Chair at Nottingham City CCG, said: “The benefits to patients are clear. Fibroscanning is a more accurate indicator of liver disease, removes the need for painful biopsy and can detect problems earlier so people can make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk or reverse liver damage. Detecting liver disease earlier also saves money and protects NHS resources by reducing emergency admissions and the need for specialist care.”

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Chris Taylor 0115 748 4242 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Notes to editors:

East Midlands Clinical Networks enables patients, professionals and organisations to work together, across the East Midlands, on large and lasting programmes of quality improvement in four areas of major healthcare challenge. The network brings the right people and expertise together to help drive improvements (www.emsenate.nhs.uk).

Case studies featured in the report include:

• Care City Test Bed: AliveCor’s Kardia
• Good Thinking - London-wide Digital Mental Health Service: Sleepio
• Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, shadow Integrated Care System (ICS): ORCHA
• Surrey High Intensity Partnership Programme (SHIPP): Serenity Integrated Mentoring (SIM)

The report is produced by the NHS Innovation Accelerator (NIA) in association with research partners, The Bayswater Institute:

• How and why NHS organisations take up an innovation
• The impacts of adopting the innovation on organisational practices