When Jane received a letter about her liver health, she admits she was surprised – but pleasantly so. Living in rural Somerset and working 30 hours a week, alongside caring for her young grandson, Jane describes herself as generally well. Like many people, however, she manages a handful of long-term conditions: borderline diabetes, raised cholesterol treated with statins, and mild high blood pressure. Annual reviews with her GP had occasionally shown abnormal liver function results, but nothing had prompted further action.
“I knew my liver function had been a bit off,” she explains. “And I know I probably drink more than I should. But it had almost become one of those things that’s just there.”
So when the letter from the liver health service arrived out of the blue, inviting her to book an appointment, she saw it as a positive step. “It felt like somebody was actually taking an interest,” she says. “GPs are very busy, and sometimes these things can feel a bit complacent. This felt different.”
Booking the appointment was straightforward. Jane recalls getting through on the phone easily and securing a hospital consultation within a couple of weeks. “It was all done and dusted very quickly,” she says. “That in itself was reassuring.”
At the hospital, she met with consultant hepatologist Dr. Tim Jobson. What stood out most was his manner. “He was very non-judgemental. Just concerned, calm and pleasant. He made it easy to talk about my drinking and my worries.” For Jane, that approach was crucial. Liver disease can carry stigma, often linked in the public mind solely with alcohol. “Not everybody with liver problems drinks,” she points out. “That non-judgemental attitude really matters.”
Following her appointment, Jane underwent a scan and is awaiting the results. Rather than feeling anxious, she describes the experience as a catalyst. “It’s made me think, come on Jane, it’s time to change your lifestyle. Time to look after yourself.”
Jane believes this proactive model of care – contacting patients before symptoms become severe – is a positive shift. “It means people can look at things before they become a real problem,” she says. Her advice to others who might receive a similar letter is simple: “Take it as a positive and just go for it. Go and find out.”
For Jane, the service has been reassuring, motivating and, above all, human.