South West's first liver specific ward opens

Prof Matthew Cramp said the unit was a "big step forward"

A newly refurbished liver unit has officially opened at a hospital in Devon.

University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) NHS Trust said the new South West Liver Unit at Derriford Hospital had 23 beds, and would care for patients before and after liver transplants.

A ribbon-cutting event was held on Wednesday to mark the unit's official opening.

Prof Matthew Cramp, consultant hepatologist at UHP said the new unit was the "first liver specific ward in the South West".

'Advanced services'

Chief executive of the British Liver Trust, Pamela Healy OBE, cut the ribbon to the new unit.

She said the facility would offer "advanced services" and "play a vital role in early testing and diagnosis".

Prof Cramp said liver patients were previously cared for in a combined area, adding a specialist unit was a "really big step forward".

"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," he said.

"We look after patients with liver conditions from across Devon, Cornwall and parts of Somerset."

UHP said liver disease is the only major disease in which death rates were rising.

The consultant said there has been more than a 50% rise in hospital admissions for liver disease in the last nine years alone, describing it is an "epidemic".

Shaun Marshall said the unit was amazing

Patient Shaun Marshall, 56, from Exeter has been diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a chronic liver disease.

He said he underwent a lifesaving liver transplant about six years ago, adding he "would be dead" without it.

Mr Marshall, who returned to the hospital for treatment, said the new unit was fantastic.

"[I] can't fault it," he said.

"The good thing about this unit is they have got more bathrooms now.

"That was the most important thing, it used to wind me right up.

"Someone has listened to the patients."