On Wednesday, August 21st, our Chief Executive, Pamela Healy OBE, had the privilege of officially opening the newly refurbished South West Liver Unit at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. This state-of-the-art facility marks a major milestone in the region’s efforts to enhance care for liver disease patients.
Professor Matthew Cramp, Consultant Hepatologist at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, shared his enthusiasm: ““We’re delighted to welcome patients to share their experiences as part of today’s event and underline the importance of patient focused outstanding care for people with liver disease.
“We’re really proud of the new unit and the work done by all of our teams to get it completed and looking so fantastic. We’re delighted to have moved in and staff are enjoying working in the new space.”
In 2022/23, over 9,000 individuals in the South West were admitted to hospital due to liver disease, highlighting the critical need for advanced and specialised care in the region.
The new unit, equipped with 23 beds, is designed to provide specialised care for patients before and after liver transplants. With a strong focus on patient comfort and well-being, the facility incorporates calming design elements and natural themes. Staff were instrumental in shaping the environment, selecting color schemes that promote tranquility and integrating equipment and lighting that echo natural settings. Additionally, a dedicated quiet room has been created to facilitate sensitive conversations between patients and their families.
Speaking on the day, Pamela Healy, Chief Executive at the British Liver Trust said: “We are delighted to see the incredible work taking place at the liver unit at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. With the rising prevalence of liver disease across the UK, it is crucial that those diagnosed have access to high-quality specialist care. This enhanced facility will not only offer advanced services but also play a vital role in early testing and diagnosis, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.”
The new South West Liver Unit represents a significant advancement in liver disease care, setting a new benchmark for patient comfort and medical excellence in the region.
