I am a Consultant Liver Physician based at the world-renowned liver unit in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. I trained as a GMC-registered Gastroenterologist, but have a specialist interest in liver disease (Hepatology). I have been a Consultant at the Liver Unit since 2008, and I have worked at the unit (both in the Liver Dept. and the University of Birmingham) since 2002. These days my NHS practice is dedicated to managing complex/advanced liver disease and I receive referrals from GPs and Specialists from across England and Wales. I have liver clinics in Birmingham, Wales and even the Isle of Man!

I am very happy to see patients with all types of liver problems, whether it be exploring the causes of abnormal liver tests or scans, managing chronic liver disease or even evaluating a patient for a liver transplant.

I am fortunate in that I work in a centre where I can offer all of the latest treatments for liver disease. Many liver diseases can be cured, and all of them can be treated – but not all hospitals have access to the latest and best therapies. As part of my clinical practice I offer endoscopic therapy (including ERCP) for liver related bowel problems, and regularly refer patients for TIPSS procedures to control bleeding and ascites. In recent years I have started to offer AlfaPump therapy (a battery-powered device the size of a pacemaker) to some patients with severe ascites, both due to cancer and liver disease and have been impressed by the results.

Sadly many patients with liver disease develop cancer and I am fortunate to have access to the latest therapies including chemotherapy, X-ray treatments and surgery. Of course the reason I chose to study liver disease is because of the magic of liver transplantation – this wonderful and lifesaving intervention transforms the lives of very sick patients, and it is my very great privilege to select patients for transplantation and then watch them get better.

I am currently the Clinical Service Lead in the Department of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation at the Liver Unit in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This is the largest solid organ transplant institute in Europe and the largest liver transplant unit in the UK. We are responsible for the management of complex liver disease in a population of approximately 14 million people. Over many years the unit has a national and international reputation for its clinical work and research activity and attracts referrals from across the UK as well as other International centres. Our activity is centrally funded by the NHS-Specialty Commissioning Services.

In addition I act as a Specialty advisor to NICE and I am a clinical advisor to the largest liver charity in the UK, the British Liver Trust. I have been fortunate to be involved in a number of strategic committees such as the NCEPOD enquiry into premature death from alcoholic liver disease and, at a regional level, I am a member of the Public Health England Viral Hepatitis Steering Group.

I am Chair of the LAG Short-Term Working Group defining criteria for transplantation in alcohol-related liver disease.