The Welsh Government has announced a new £1m national plan to tackle the rising number of cases of liver diseases in Wales.
Deaths from liver disease in Wales have more than doubled in the past 20 years, with the increase largely due to the rise in obesity, alcohol misuse and blood-borne viral hepatitis.
However, cases of liver disease as a result of these causes are almost entirely preventable.
Announcing the plan, deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Liver disease is increasing in Wales. Some of it is unavoidable but much is a result of how we live our lives.
“With support and encouragement people can take responsibility for reducing their risk, particularly when it comes to the amount they drink, as alcohol continues to be the biggest cause of liver disease in Wales.
“Our NHS will continue to play its part in treating those who need it but all of us have to take responsibility for the health consequences of our lifestyle choices.
“Where people take control – or use the support on offer to take control of their lifestyles – this plan will ensure the health service will be there for them, identifying those with the early signs of disease, referring them quickly to specialist treatment and improving outcomes for patients.”
The new Liver Disease Delivery Plan will be supported by £1m of new funding from the Welsh Government with an extra £1.377m of annual funding, which is linked to the Blood Borne Viral Hepatitis Action Plan that ended this year, also set to continue.
Wales is the first UK country to respond to The Lancet’s liver campaign with a substantive plan and package of measures to prevent liver disease and improve services for patients.
Mid and West Wales AM Rebecca Evans said: “This new delivery plan will help to highlight the main causes of liver disease, and better help educate people on what we can do to lower the chances of developing a problem.
“This plan is the first of its kind in the UK, and is backed by funding of £1million.”
Guardian editor Steve Adams recently took part in Hywel Dda Health Board’s Love my Liver scheme. His report can be read here: http://bit.ly/1w34OHV
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