Question reference: S6W-09192
- Asked by: Gillian Mackay, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 16 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 28 June 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken to support early diagnosis of liver disease in at-risk populations.
Answer
Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone with liver disease is able to access the best possible care and support and benefit from healthcare services that are safe, effective and person-centred.
We are working with the UK Government and other devolved administrations on the development of the revised UK-wide clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment, which will include the treatment of liver diseases. The updated guidelines are expected to be published for consultation later this year.
We are improving our ability to detect cancer and to treat it successfully. That is why we continue to invest in our £44m Detect Cancer Early Programme, which adopts a whole systems approach to diagnosing and treating cancer as early as possible. This will include the early detection of liver cancer.
General Practice and Primary Care multi-disciplinary teams will continue to play a key role in supporting patients with long-term condition management, including those with a diagnosis of liver disease, alongside specialist treatment services within Scotland’s healthcare system.