The Queen Elizabeth Hospital have referred you to The Freeman Hospital for further advice around your liver disease. This may include consideration for a liver transplant assessment or any other interventions, that may improve your liver disease.
Please be reassured that your routine care will still continue at the QEH, including drainage of ascites if required.
We have written this leaflet to give you and your family the information to help you understand what can be expected when you are referred to the Freeman hospital. The Freeman hospital aim to provide you with an appointment within 6 weeks of receiving your referral.
During your initial appointment you will meet your consultant who will discuss the history of your liver disease with you. They will discuss with you the options available for your liver disease and if a transplant assessment should be considered. You will be provided with detailed information about liver transplantation so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
Do I need a transplant?
In general, liver transplantation is considered when your liver disease is severe and threatens your life expectancy or you have certain significant symptoms. You may be suitable for a liver transplant if you have liver failure or cancer. The aim of a liver transplant is to help you live longer, as well as to improve your quality of life.
Am I fit and well enough?
To find out if you are well enough to have the transplant, some routine tests will be performed. Your consultant hepatologist (liver doctor), and the transplant coordinator will arrange these tests for you.
Some patients are so unwell because of their liver disease or because of another health problem that they cannot be considered for a transplant. Your heart and lungs must be strong enough to cope with the operation and for you to recover afterwards.
Assessing the delicate balance of ensuring that your liver is sick enough to need replacing, but your body is strong enough to survive is a difficult task. We also need to assess the impact of any other health issues you may have on your current wellbeing.
Are there alternatives to transplant?
Yes, there are alternatives depending on your liver disease and the amount of complications you have from this disease. We will discuss these during the assessment process and also with your Hepatologist in clinic.
Liver Transplant Assessment
You will have a transplant assessment which generally needs a one day admission to hospital to have the necessary tests. Sometimes it will be necessary to have an overnight stay. The length of admission varies depending on your liver disease, any other medical problems you may have and how far from Newcastle you live.
The aim of the assessment is to find out how serious your liver disease is, to ensure you are well enough to undergo major surgery and to make sure that there are no medical or surgical reasons why this cannot be performed. The transplant team will also find out how you and your family feel about your illness and transplant. The team will discuss any alternative treatment options with you.
You will meet various members of the transplant team including doctors, nurses, social worker, dietician and transplant coordinators and are encouraged to ask questions and talk about any concerns, fears and / or anxieties. The team are here to provide you with information about liver transplantation so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Liver Nurses
Support Groups
Liver North
A support group run for liver patients, their carers and families in the Northern Region