This project is funded by the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) Applied Health and Care Research Group, a joint initiative between MAHSC and NIHR ARC-GM. 

 

 

What are we trying to do?
This project will evaluate the introduction of a new liver fibrosis screening pathway, based in the NHS Addictions Service in Greater Manchester, which is aimed at homeless and hard-to-reach dependent drinkers. 

The project will look at how successful the introduction of this pathway is based on the opinions of service users, their clinical outcomes and satisfaction. We will also look at what makes delivering the service easier or more difficult. 

 

Why is it important?
Alcohol-related illnesses are a huge concern for society and cost the NHS a lot of money. Evidence suggests alcohol-related deaths are increasing in Greater Manchester, and some groups of people are far more likely to experience harms related to alcohol. This includes people with physical or mental health problems, and people experiencing homelessness or insecure living.   

One way to reduce harms and deaths due to alcohol-related liver disease is by finding and treating liver disease caused by alcohol dependence as early as possible. 

A simple liver scan can measure how elastic the liver is and find out whether someone’s liver is starting to become stiff and hard because of alcohol. If someone’s liver hardens, it means they are at risk of developing scarring (called cirrhosis) of the liver. Cirrhosis is usually permanent and can lead to liver failure, the need for a liver transplant, and death.  

 

How are we doing it?
We are studying a new liver fibrosis screening pathway in Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust (GMMH) which is run by GMMH Addictions Services (in collaboration with the Rough Sleepers Drug and Alcohol Team, Big Life Group and Bolton and Salford Hospitals). 

The aim is to see how this pathway is set up and run so we can find out what makes it easier or more difficult to become a routine part of care - and ultimately to improve the experience for patients. 

We will do this by interviewing patients who use the service, the staff running the service and the people who helped to set up the service.  

 

The research team

• Principal Investigator - Dr Stephen Kaar (Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust - GMMH)
• Professor Karina Lovell (University of Manchester)
• Professor Paul Wilson (University of Manchester)
• Dr Helen Brooks (University of Manchester)
• Dr Nikolaos Mylonas (GMMH)
• Dr Tracey Myton (GMMH)
• Dr Chris Daly (GMMH)
• Eloise Weymouth (GMMH)
• Savannah Campbell (GMMH)
• Laura Hazeldine (GMMH)
• Maria Johnson (GMMH Rough Sleepers Drug and Alcohol Team)
• David Steele (The Big Life Group)

 

 

Who we are working with

• GMMH Addiction Services
• GMMH Rough Sleeper Drug and Alcohol Team
• The Big Life Group
• Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
• Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

 

 

Funding:

This research project received an award of £39,746 from the 2024-2025 MAHSC Applied Health and Research Group.

 

 

Useful information

 

Contact information

 

 

 

Dr Stephen Kaar
Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
stephen.kaar@gmmh.nhs.uk