Treatment information
Some of the principal treatments carried out by
Dr Andrew Holt at Spire include:
Hepatology
at Spire Parkway Hospital
Other treatments
Upper GI Endoscopy, ERCP FibroScan™, Primary Liver Cancer therapy – RFA/TACE, Treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, Alcohol use disorders, Liver Failure and Ascites – AlfaPump® implantation, Paracentesis, TIPSS, Variceal disease
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Professional profile
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 problem, 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 an 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.
Clinical Interests
Liver disease
I specialise in the management of all forms of liver disease, whether they are mild or severe, and receive referrals from Consultants and GPs from across the UK: I have a particular expertise in the management of cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, alcohol related injury and viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV). In addition I look after patients with rare liver diseases such as PBC, PSC and autoimmune hepatitis as well as treating genetic disorders such as Haemochromatosis. I am expert in the management of complex liver disease (e.g. cirrhosis and vascular disorders of the liver) and liver transplantation.
Because of my specialisation I offer the latest therapies in the management of complications of liver disease such as varices, liver cancer (HCC) and ascites, including tunnelled drainage, TIPSS and Alfa Pumps. For very advanced disease I provide Cadaveric transplantation services to NHS-entitled individuals and I am happy to discuss live-donor liver transplant referral for individuals non-entitled to NHS care.
Current NHS posts
Consultant Hepatologist & Transplant Physician
Clinical Service Lead – Dept. Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Senior Lecturer in Medicine, University of Birmingham
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Personal Profile
I have lived in Solihull with my wife and 4 children for over ten years. I relax by reading and enjoy music, but am occasionally seen riding my bike through the lanes around Knowle. I am an active member of my local church and an enthusiastic supporter of Welsh rugby!
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