Residents invited to take part in liver testing

Residents in Stoke-on-Trent are being invited to take part in free liver testing at two local roadshows funded by a doctor who died from cancer.

Dr Alison Brind, 63, who specialised in liver disease, worked with patients in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire for more than 25 years.

The consultant gastroenterologist, who worked at University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022 and died in April last year.

After identifying people at risk of liver disease at roadshows in 2023, Dr Brind, who raised more than £10,000 for the UHNM charity, decided to fund the scheme for another five years, organisers said previously.

Two Love Your Liver roadshows are being held at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium on Tuesday and at Port Vale Football Club on Wednesday between 10:00 and 16:00 BST.

Vanessa Carr, liver clinical nurse specialist, said visitors would be offered a free liver health scan and could also speak to a dedicated liver health team for advice and support.

"One in 10 adults in Stoke-on-Trent may have liver disease but be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages," she said.

"But the earlier the disease is detected, the better chance there is to reduce and then reverse any damage."

Ms Carr said liver disease remained one of the leading causes of premature death in the area.

"None of this would have been possible without Dr Alison Brind who has been an absolute inspiration to us over the past 25 years and we continue to work in her memory," she said.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.