Information for Clinicians

Forms

Viral hepatitis referrals from non-GP referrers

MDT Referrals

Alcohol Assessment

Primary Care Referrals

Our General Hepatology clinic, Viral Hepatology clinic and Hepatobiliary Surgical clinics are available on Choose and Book; please choose the most appropriate service for your patient’s referral. Please refer to the service specifications for the clinics.

GP referrers can find hepatology referral advice for:

• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Isolated abnormal LFTs
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

On the Leeds Health Pathways Website (accessible from NHS N3 connection only).

Referrals from Secondary Care

We provide a tertiary service for complex hepatology including the management of complications of portal hypertension, acute liver failure and vascular liver disease. Referrals can be made to any of the consultant hepatologists by post or by fax to 0113 206 6462. Where an urgent opinion is required, please contact the hepatology bleep holder 24 hours per day via St James’s Hospital switchboard (0113 243 3144, bleep number 4873). 

For hepatobiliary surgical referrals the HPB registrar can be reached via switchboard.

For information regarding liver transplantation, including how to refer for assessment and post-transplant shared care guidelines, visit our Liver Transplantation Information Web Page.

Clinical Calculators

Dr Stewart Gibson, one of our team, has developed two applications for Apple and Android devices to allow easy calculation of prognostic scores in patients with liver disease:

Please note that these applications are not controlled or endorsed by Leeds Teaching Hospitals.

Useful Links

The Human Tissue Authority
The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) is a watchdog that supports public confidence by licensing organisations that store and use human tissue for purposes such as research, patient treatment, post-mortem examination, teaching, and public exhibitions. We also give approval for organ and bone marrow donations from living people.

NHS Blood and Transplant
NHS Blood and Transplant is a Special Health Authority, dedicated to saving and improving lives through the wide range of services we provide to the NHS.

Liver Transplantation Information

Referral for Transplant Assessment

A formal referral for liver transplant assessment is required and can be made to any of the Consultant Hepatologists:

• Dr Mark Aldersley
• Dr Ramu Chimakurthi
• Dr Lee Claridge
• Dr Audrey Dillon
• Dr Jayne Dillon
• Dr Vinod Hegade
• Dr Rebecca Jones
• Dr Joanna Moore
• Dr Richard Parker
• Dr Ian Rowe
• Dr Phaedra Tachtatzis

Patients will be seen in our outpatient clinic for pre-assessment and an initial opinion regarding suitability for transplantation.

Specific conditions:

If your patient has hepatocellular carcinoma, please refer to Dr Rebecca Jones or Dr Ian Rowe.

If your patient has hepatitis C and you would like a review regarding suitability for liver transplantation ahead of starting anti-viral therapy please write to Dr Mark Aldersley, Dr Ramu Chimakurthi or Dr Ian Rowe.

Information that is helpful:

Please include the following information in your referrals (or use the proforma at the top of this page) where possible:

• Diagnosis and confirmatory tests
• Alcohol or substance misuse history
• Complications of chronic liver disease, eg. onset of ascites, frequency of paracentesis, history of SBP, encephalopathy, details regarding varices surveillance, bleeding or treatment.
• For all patients with alcohol or substance related liver disease a clear history of timing of presentation, first advice regarding the misuse and abstinence history is essential, including information as to how and when they have engaged with alcohol or substance misuse services.

Where you think an in-patient transfer will be necessary for assessment please contact the liver bleep holder. Please call the St James’s Hospital switchboard on 0113 243 3144 and ask for bleep 4873.