This year’s Family Fun Day was another great success thanks both to Rachel and Patricia, committee members, and all of many families and friends who made the event.  We just love to see so many families with their children coming along to have some great fun as well as having conversations with other families. We think the bowling was a great choice too!!

St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin celebrated its Liver Transplant 30th Anniversary with a Patient Education Day in O’Reilly Hall, UCD, Belfield, Dublin on October 14th . There were a number of practical talks on living with a liver transplant with recent updates in the field of transplantation in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the National Liver Transplant Programme. The day started with an introduction given by Mr Justin Geoghegan, Consultant Transplant Surgeon with further insights into the last thirty years of transplantation by Prof Oscar Traynor and Prof Aiden McCormick.

Kay Duffy, OBE, and founder of the Liver Support Group was invited down to the event to give an insight in to the support network provided by the Group within Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland does not have a similar network and therefore patients with any type of liver condition cannot avail of the wide number of services provided to patients in NI.

Kay Duffy, Founder, Arthur Goan, Vice Chairman, Dr Sharon Millen, Head of Research and Rachel Quinney Mee, Child & Adolescent Patient Carer representing the RVH Liver Support Group attended.

We, the RVH Liver Support Group, are proud to let you know that we have kitted out the glasshouse, as it was known, in Ward 6D of the RVH Regional Liver Unit. This room is now affectionately known as “The Quiet Room” and has been refurbished and fitted out by the Charity with a new reclining sofa and chair. These items will recline as shown in the picture and also provide USB charging connectivity. As well as this  we have provided a Nespresso coffee machine and microwave oven. Tableware, cutlery and associated accessories are also provided. The Charity will keep the room clean and stocked with coffee pods, teabags and sugar on an ongoing basis.

The Quiet Room is for the sole use of our patients whilst in Ward 6D and their families when visiting, for private conversations between medical staff and patients/families and a place of repose for the medical team within the Ward when needed . It is hoped that everyone will treat the room with the respect and dignity that it deserves.

On Friday , Sept 29th 2023 the Masonic Provincial Priories Golfing Society Competition presented a cheque to Jim Kilpatrick, Chairman of the RVH Liver Support Group after a successful golf tournament at Killymoon Golf Club. Thank you all for a fantastic amount raised of £2,500.

The RVH Liver Support Group hosted their annual Member’s lunch at the Dunsilly Hotel Antrim on Sunday September 10th 2023.  There were over 80 members having a great lunch and chat with many friends. A few pictures opposite capture the occasion on what was a beautiful day in so many ways.

Jim, Patricia and Arthur were in attendance at our very first coffee morning on August 7th in Cafe Cure beside Bangor Town Hall. The first event was very well attended with 25 patients and family members joining the Liver Support Group. Everyone agreed that is was a very beneficial way to meet others who were on the same journey. The RVH Liver Support Group will be planning more of these events soon right across N Ireland. Please keep an eye on our social media channels for future planned coffee events.