Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the diagnosis of liver disease.

From an alcohol-related liver disease perspective, the National Health Service was planning to introduce a new incentive (Commissioning for Quality and Innovation, or CQUIN) to support early identification of cirrhosis and enhanced fibrosis in alcohol dependent individuals. The CQUIN will incentivise acute and mental health providers to ensure that appropriate tests are carried out on inpatients who have a diagnosis of alcohol dependence. However, in light of COVID-19, the CQUIN 2020/21 scheme will be suspended until further notice.

In line with the commitment in the NHS Long Term Plan, hospitals with the highest rate of alcohol dependence-related admissions will be supported to optimise Alcohol Care Teams. Areas at highest need will be supported by targeted national investment.

In 2019 to 2020, Public Health England (PHE) awarded £6 million capital funding to 23 local authorities to support their ambitions to increase access to alcohol treatment. This includes supporting nine areas to purchase Fibroscan machines to increase early detection of fibrosis/cirrhosis and access to treatment for those with alcohol-related liver disease.

PHE are also supporting work to increase opportunities for the earlier detection of alcohol-related liver disease in people drinking at or above high-risk levels. This includes new NHS Health Check guidance to encourage referral for liver investigation.

NHS England is supporting a programme to identify people with hepatitis C infection at an early stage to avoid subsequent liver disease.