Hepatology is the branch of medicine that looks at prevention, diagnosis and management of diseases that affect the liver, gall bladder, bile ducts and pancreas.
The liver is a very important organ within the abdomen which filters and cleanses all the blood leaving the stomach and intestines, and regulates most chemical levels in the blood. You can read more about the liver here https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-health-2/abouttheliver/
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Our Hepatology services are based at Basildon, Broomfield and Southend Hospitals.
Liver team: Consultants: Dr Gavin Wright and Dr Chirag Oza
Consultant’s PA : 01268 524900 (extension 8542)
Liver nurse team: 01268 593078
Liver team: Consultant: Dr Keval Naik
Consultant’s PA: 01245 362000 (extension 4871)
Liver team: Consultant: Dr Gary Bray
Consultant’s PA: 01702 435555 (extension 5097)
We offer a range of services supported by our hepatology/gastroenterology specialist interest consultants, and specialist liver nurses. These are:
You might access our hepatology services in various ways:
What is a Fibroscan?
A Fibroscan is a scan of your liver which measure how elastic (or how stiff) your liver is. It is a painless procedure which involves a probe being passed over the top right area of your abdomen. It is similar to an ultrasound scan during pregnancy and can be carried out during an outpatient appointment.
A healthy liver should be soft and elastic but when disease is evident the live becomes stiff.
What are the benefits of having a Fibroscan?
Having a Fibroscan will help your doctor to assess whether there is any problem with your liver and assist him/her in planning your treatment.
A Fibroscan is a quick, painless test that gives immediate results. It does not have any potential complications or risks and is non-invasive, which means that it does not break the skin or enter your body.
Are there any alternatives to a Fibroscan?
An alternative to having a Fibroscan is to have a liver biopsy; however this is an invasive procedure which involves a needle being inserted into your live to remove a very small piece of it. A liver biopsy carries risks such as bleeding.
Are there any special precautions?
You can have a Fibroscan if you are pregnant or have an implantable electronic device, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.
What do I need to do to prepare for the scan?
It is advisable to fast (not eat food) for four hours prior to having the scan. You can take regular medicines and water as normal. You do not need to remove any clothing for the scan, but we will need access to the right side of your abdomen.
Having a Fibroscan
What happens after the scan?
You will be able to either go home or return to work straight away.
Your doctor will discuss the results with you when you attend your next follow-up appointment.
Contact details
If you have any questions/concerns about having a Fibroscan please contact: 01268 593078
Research
We’re involved in a number of research studies in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research and other organisations.
We’re involved in a number of important national and multinational clinical research liver studies covering many areas of liver medicine. These studies are often held in partnership with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and other world-leading organisations.
If being part of a research trial could be potentially beneficial to you in the treatment of your liver condition and you would like to consider taking part in research, please talk to a member of our team.
Importantly, any involvement in clinical studies will not impact on your clinical care.
Our research collaborators include:
There are many types of liver disease which might result from
The main focus of liver care is treating the underlying cause of liver disease and stopping or reversing the damage to prevent liver disease progressing to liver failure. We also provide specific management for acute and chronic (long term) liver failure. Liver transplantation can be necessary in the most extreme cases of liver failure.
Autoimmune Hepatits - https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/living-with-a-liver-condition/liver-conditions/autoimmune-hepatitis/