Dr Safa Al-Shamma

Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist

Specialties

Gastroenterology

Hepatology

I graduated from Dundee University in 2002 with commendation. I then completed my gastroenterology training in Mersey Deanery and with a further specialist fellowship in hepatology and liver transplant at the Royal London and King's College Hospital London.

I have been a full time NHS consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist for the past 7 years at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. I co-lead the hepatology service. I am the lead for the hepatocellular carcinoma service (HCC) offering a County wide tertiary service. I also perform a large number of endoscopy procedures including complex colonoscopy.

I am the clinical governance and mortality lead for the department, reviewing risks and helping to devise solutions. As mortality lead, I regularly review cases to assess quality of care and causation.

I am currently an associate clinical advisor for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), carrying out detailed analyses of complex medical reviews. I have recently been appointed as a panel member for the GMC's tests of competence panel.

What people can be referred for

Deranged LFTs, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, autoimmune liver disease, viral hepatitis, liver failure, hepatocellular cancer, jaundice, IBD, IBS, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits

Why I chose my specialties

IThe variety of the post. Performing endoscopy including complex endoscopy and colonoscopy. I also enjoy leading a specialist service offering a County wide specialist referral service.

Primary contact

Secretary: Melanie Webster

01202 704563

Membership of professional bodies

GMC, BSG, MDDUS and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Year of registration

2002

Special clinical interests

Hepatocellular cancer

Portal hypertension

Fatty liver

Autoimmune liver disease

Complex colonoscopy

Education and training

Governance and mortality lead

Publications

1. Assessment of bone mineral density in tenofovir-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B: can the fracture risk assessment tool identify those at greatest risk?

2. District general hospital networks can provide safe and effective hepatitis C treatment: results of a 5-year audit.

3. Use of a xanthine oxidase inhibitor in autoimmune hepatitis.

Research

Hepatitis C

Fatty liver/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

IBS