RVH staff mark Organ Donation Week
Staff members of the RVH Regional Liver Unit pictured with Arthur Goan (RVHLSG Patient Care Team) marking Organ Donation Week in the hospital.
British Liver Trust visits NI (in pictures)
On September 15 to 18 the British Liver Trust visited Northern Ireland with their trailer offering free FibroScans to members of the public to check their liver health. We will publish the stats on numbers when we have this information to hand but we can say that many people did avail of the opportunity. The event was in Enniskillen om Monday, Stormont on Tuesday, Belfast City Hall on Wednesday with the final day being at the Diamond Coleraine.
This is a very important and beneficial event held yearly by the Trust and we encourage uptake always. We are seeing more and more patients now with fatty liver disease caused by bad diet and lack of exercise. This condition, if undiagnosed, can lead to severe liver damage and cirrhosis, just like the many other liver conditions. In virtually all cases there will be no prior symptoms until its too late .
We would take this opportunity to nudge the general public to consider their eating habits and exercise regime and to consider making lifestyle changes if necessary. We have more information available from our home page on fatty liver (MASLD).
Equally, if you consider yourself as someone who may be consuming excess amounts of alcohol it is time now to take a closer look at the units you consume. Please have a look HERE for further details. We are finding that most patients presenting with cirrhosis or end stage liver disease are not those who are alcohol dependent; rather, it is those who are social drinkers who consume moderate amounts over a long period of time.
Tyrone & Fermanagh Coffee Meets
RVH Liver Support Group hosted another two successful coffee events in both Omagh and Enniskillen on August 9. Ashley and Arthur from the Group hosted the events which were well attended.
This was a specially poignant event in that we had a patient who was recently transplanted in Kings and another who was over for a recent assessment and just received word hours before that they were accepted to be put on the transplant list. Sentences of hope, accreditation, reassurance and thankfulness were in abundance at all times.
And this is one of the many benefits of holding such events; they are a fantastic way for patients to get together to support one another and make new friends.
We encourage everyone to look out for these coffee events happening throughout the year and to remember to bring along a loved one or friend. Its not just for patients themselves.
Liver Transplant Members head to World Transplant Games in Dresden.
We wish our liver transplant members, Paul McCrystal, Sharon Millen, Daniel Fletcher, Cecil Floyd and Paul Lawler, every success next month at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany. They are part of the @transplant_sport_nireland team, competing as such for the first time.
Maurarose completes the Women’s Belfast City 10K for a very special reason…..
Well done to Maurarose Gruhn, who proudly took part in the Women’s Belfast City 10K at Titanic Quarter to mark her father-in-law Chris Gruhn’s 10th Liverversary and raise vital funds for the Group. She was joined by Committee member Sharon Millen, who is currently in training for the World Transplant Games in Dresden this August.
New Recliner Chairs Delivered to Ward 6D
Pictured is Arthur Goan, RVHLSG Patient Care, along with Ward 6D Sister Carol and Pharmacist Alvin accepting two new recliner chairs for the patients and families using 6D. Also in the picture, testing them, out are ward nurses Lisa and Reshma. They did comment that they could have a sleep on them 😊.
The two recliners (with a third currently on order) are designed and made by a furniture manufacturer in the UK who are an NHS approved supplier which is very important. The chairs are finished in a warm uplifting terracotta colour and are upholstered using a special wipe clean material.
The RVH Liver Support Group hopes that they will be a great comfort to patients and family members using them.
Burrendale (Newcastle) Coffee Morning
The June Coffee Morning was held in the @burrendalehotel in Newcastle. Great to see both old friends and new faces along to enjoy the delicious scones on offer. The craic was mighty, with medical mishaps and holiday tales among some of the topics discussed.
The next one is in Fortwilliam Golf Club on Wednesday 2nd July at 10.00am.
Volunteer Recognition Event at QUB
Sharon and Jim were delighted to represent the Group at the @belfasttrust Volunteer Recognition Event held in the wonderful Great Hall at @qubelfast. This is an occasion for the Trust to show their appreciation for everything volunteers contribute to those under the Trust’s care.
Maine Group “walked the walk” at Moy Park Belfast City Marathon 2025.
Recently our Secretary, Ashley, visited Maine Group to collect a cheque from Derek Adams, who was one of the many walkers from Maine Group who completed the 8 mile walk at this years Belfast City Marathon.
The money raised by the employees was then very generously matched by Maine Group for a brilliant total of £4,257.50.
Thank you so much to everyone involved for raising such a fantastic amount.
Everglades Coffee Morning
Once again, thank you so much for everyone who turned up at the Everglades coffee morning organised by the RVH Liver Support Group and hosted by Ashley and Arthur, both committee members.
It turned out such a beautiful day for the event and it was an opportunity to catch up with old friends and indeed, as was the case on Thursday, to make new ones!!
We would like to remind folks that these coffee mornings are for ALL liver patients irrespective of the liver condition or its cause. We welcome and indeed want to see as many people attend as possible. We would also like to emphasise that you do not have to come alone; in fact we do not want you to come alone. You are most welcome to bring a family member or indeed a friend along with you.
Our next coffee morning will be in the Burrendale Hotel (Newcastle) on June 4th starting at 10.00 am.