-
Home
-
Poole Hospital
-
List of services
-
Services
-
Joint service
- Hepatology
Welcome to the Hepatology Department at University Hospitals Dorset
We care for adults with liver disease.
Our team will help you if you have a liver problem. We will find out what is causing it. We will explain your condition. We will work with you to plan your care.
Our team includes doctors, nurses and other health professionals. We work together to give you the care and support you need.
You may see us:
-
in hospital
-
at an outpatient appointment
-
in the community.
Our service is based at Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital.
We also work with the Alcohol Care Team and the Homeless Care Team. This helps us support people who need extra help.
Our standards
Our liver service is approved by IQILS (Improving Quality in Liver Services). IQILS checks that liver services meet national standards. We have achieved IQILS Level 1 and are now working towards Level 2, the highest level of accreditation within the IQILS framework.
We review our service to make sure it is safe and gives people the care they need.
Your care is at the centre of everything we do.
Our services
Our expert team provides full-spectrum care for:
-
Acute Liver Disease
-
Liver Cirrhosis
-
Acute Viral Hepatitis
-
Drug Induced Liver Injury
-
Liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance, Liver Cancer (HCC) Surveillance)
6 monthly Ultrasound scans are required as part of Liver cancer (HCC) screening. Phone 0300 019 2161 to arrange an ultrasound scan. Contact is required 30 days before the scheduled due date. Please refer to the relevant section under patient information for more details.
-
Genetic Liver Conditions and Disease
-
Liver Transplant
-
New Autoimmune Liver Conditions
-
Symptoms of decompensation
Regular outpatient blood tests are required, Phone 0300 019 4781 (lines open between 08:30 - 12:30 and 13:00 - 16:00) to arrange a blood test. Please refer to the relevant section under patient information for more details.
-
Ongoing care of Chronic Liver disease delivered by Consultant and Nurse Service.
-
Dedicated Paracentesis Day case care delivered at the Poole Hospital site
-
Venesection Service delivered at Poole Treatment Investigation Unit
-
Homeless Care Outreach Service delivered in the community following hospital discharge.
We bring together a multidisciplinary team of hepatologists (liver consultants and doctors), specialist nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, physician associates, Fibroscan technicians, advocacy care coordinators and outreach professionals to ensure every patient receives coordinated and compassionate care.
All patients with liver disease presenting to hospital, due to their liver disease, are seen by a Consultant Gastroenterologist within 12-24 hours.
We aim to manage many of our liver patients on our dedicated gastroenterology wards at Royal Bournemouth & Poole Hospital. If patients are on outlying wards, they are seen by a Consultant Gastroenterologists covering outlying patients.
All our consultants are experienced at managing acute liver presentations.
We have a dedicated decompensated liver cirrhosis MDT with Consultant Hepatologists, Doctors, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Liver Nurse Specialists, Ward nurses, junior doctors, Therapists, Physician Associates & Palliative Care every two weeks and discuss complex liver cirrhosis patients on the wards or recently discharged. department also holds a weekly general Liver MDT to discuss our patients with Doctors and Nurses as well as a weekly Network Cancer MDT.
Following discharge, we have an acute decompensated liver cirrhosis consultant clinic with the aim of seeing patients within 6 weeks from discharge, in addition our liver nursing team offer telephone follow-ups to these patients within the first 2 weeks following discharge.
For more information, please refer to our Weekly Service timetable.
Meet the Team
Consultants
Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist – Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Dr Al-Shamma is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Dr Al-Shamma has specialist training in liver disease and liver transplantation.
Dr Al-Shamma leads the county-wide liver cancer (HCC) service and has a particular interest in liver cancer and complex endoscopy. Dr Al-Shamma is also involved in improving the quality and safety of patient care.
Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist – Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole General Hospital
Dr John is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist working across Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital. Dr John has a particular interest in complex liver disease, haemochromatosis and decompensated cirrhosis.
Outside work, Dr John enjoys cycling, running, kayaking, cooking and spending time outdoors.
Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist – Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Dr Tod is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist and Clinical Lead for the Hepatology Service. Dr Tod has specialist training in liver disease and liver transplantation.
Dr Tod’s specialist interests include decompensated cirrhosis, liver cancer and lifestyle medicine. Dr Tod also leads a service for screening and treating oesophageal varices
Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist – Royal Bournemouth Hospital
Dr Williams is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. Dr Williams has specialist training in liver disease and liver transplantation.
Dr Williams has a particular interest in viral hepatitis and performs ERCP procedures as part of the Gastroenterology service.
Specialist Doctor / Medical Team
Trust Specialty Registrar – Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Dr Read is a Trust Specialty Registrar who has worked at University Hospitals Dorset since 2019. Dr Read has an interest in all areas of liver disease, with a particular interest in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Outside work, Dr Read enjoys rugby and reading.
Physician Assistant
Physician Associate – Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Midula is a Physician Associate working across Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Midula has a particular interest in liver disease and works closely with the Liver Nursing Team and Gastroenterology Ward.
Outside work, Midula enjoys music, reading, beach walks, films and travelling.
Physician Associate – Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Alex is a Physician Associate working with the Gastroenterology and Hepatology team. Alex has a particular interest in liver disease and supports patients with decompensated liver disease.
Alex also teaches on the Physician Associate Studies programme at Bournemouth University.
Outside work, Alex enjoys climbing and music festivals.
Clinical Nurse Specialists and Advanced Practitioners
Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Lead Nurse – Hepatology and Homeless Care
Katie is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Lead Nurse for the Hepatology and Homeless Care teams. Katie has experience in acute and emergency care and addiction services.
Katie’s interests include improving care for people with chronic liver disease and reducing health inequalities.
Outside work, Katie enjoys music festivals and paddleboarding.
Hepatology Nurse Specialist and Lead Nurse – Homeless Care Team
Pippa has worked in gastroenterology since 2008 and joined the Hepatology team in 2021. Pippa became Lead Nurse for the Homeless Care Team in 2022.
Pippa’s interests include supporting vulnerable people and reducing health inequalities. Pippa is also studying for a Senior Leader Apprenticeship.
Senior Hepatology Nurse Specialist
Holly has worked in gastroenterology since 2006 and has been a Hepatology Specialist Nurse since 2010.
Holly’s specialist interests include hepatitis B, liver transplantation, autoimmune hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.
Senior Hepatology Nurse Specialist
Jenna has worked in hepatology since 2008 and became a Non-Medical Prescriber in 2023.
Jenna’s specialist interests include autoimmune hepatitis, hepatitis B and decompensated liver disease.
Outside work, Jenna enjoys football and travelling.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner – Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Andrew is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner working across Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Andrew has a background in acute, emergency and critical care and is a Non-Medical Prescriber.
Andrew’s specialist interests include decompensated cirrhosis and complex liver disease.
Outside work, Andrew enjoys surfing and walking.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hepatology
Charmaine has worked in Hepatology since 2017 and has a background in acute and critical care nursing.
Charmaine’s specialist interests include decompensated liver disease, palliative care, hepatitis B and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).
Outside work, Charmaine enjoys reading, travelling, music and live bands.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hepatology
Kat joined the Hepatology team in 2024 after qualifying as an Adult Nurse. Kat is also a Non-Medical Prescriber.
Kat’s specialist interest is decompensated liver disease.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hepatology
Ruth joined the Hepatology team in 2021 after working in addiction services. Ruth also has a background in Psychology.
Ruth’s specialist interests include liver cancer and autoimmune hepatitis.
Outside work, Ruth enjoys football, music and travelling.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hepatology & Homeless Care Team
Lydia qualified as an Adult Nurse in 2022 and works across the Hepatology and Homeless Care teams.
Lydia’s specialist interests include homelessness, addiction and hepatitis C.
Outside work, Lydia enjoys walking with her dog and attending live music events.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Homeless Care Team
Rosie qualified as an Adult Nurse in 2018 and works with the Homeless Care Team.
Rosie’s specialist interests include homelessness and blood-borne viruses.
Outside work, Rosie enjoys travelling, going to the gym and spending time with family and friends.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hepatology
Laura qualified as an Adult Nurse in 2024 after completing her nursing degree apprenticeship with University Hospitals Dorset. Laura previously worked in Acute Gastroenterology before joining the Liver Nursing Team.
Laura’s specialist interests include decompensated liver disease and autoimmune hepatitis.
Outside work, Laura enjoys family time, swimming, reading and travelling.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hepatology
Maria is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Hepatology team. Maria qualified as an Adult Nurse before joining the Liver Nursing Team.
Maria supports patients with liver conditions as part of the wider Hepatology service.
Clinical Nurse Specialist – Hepatology
Shelley is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Hepatology team. Shelley qualified as an Adult Nurse before joining the Liver Nursing Team.
Shelley supports patients with liver conditions as part of the wider Hepatology service.
Care Coordinators
IQILS Coordinator
Danielle is the IQILS Coordinator for the Hepatology team. Danielle has a background in NHS administration, IT, project support and performance data.
Danielle’s interests include digital transformation and using technology to improve healthcare services.
Outside work, Danielle enjoys photography, creative design and digital marketing.
Advocacy Care Coordinator
Tracy has worked in the Liver Team for over three years, having previously worked in Endoscopy bookings. Tracy supports patients through their Hepatitis C care and treatment and coordinates FibroScan clinics at Poole and Bournemouth hospitals.
Outside work, Tracy enjoys baking, travelling and socialising.
Advocacy Care Coordinator
Rachel joined the NHS in 2022 and works as an Advocacy Care Coordinator within the Hepatology team. Rachel has a background in Psychology and Health and Social Care.
Rachel enjoys supporting and engaging with patients as part of the Hepatology team.
Outside work, Rachel enjoys reading, spending time with family and exploring the UK.
Secretaries:
Claire Christopher
Hepatology Secretary for Liver Nursing Team
Jasmine Klughardt
Consultant Secretary for Dr Tod
Rachel Wareham
Consultant Secretary for Dr Willams
Melanie Webster
Consultant Secretary for Dr Al-Shamma
Michelle Tilsed
Consultant Secretary for Dr John
Management Team:
Kate Lloyd-Hatchard
Deputy General Manager and Dorset BCS Programme Manager
Hayley Roberts
Service Manager
Trust Values
Our Commitment to You
At UHD, our values guide every aspect of the care we deliver. Here’s what you can expect when you're under our care:
We treat every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect.
What this means for you: We listen carefully and support you with kindness throughout your treatment journey.
We strive to work collaboratively across departments to provide cohesive, well-rounded care.
What this means for you: Our goal is to improve communication between specialists, GPs, and community services to support a more connected healthcare experience.
We value open conversations to understand your concerns and needs.
What this means for you: Your voice matters, and your feedback helps us improve.
We believe in transparency and clear communication.
What this means for you: You’ll always have the information needed to make informed decisions about your care.
We continually evolve our services based on the latest evidence and patient feedback.
What this means for you: You receive care that reflects best practices and current medical advancements.
We welcome and respect individuals from all backgrounds.
What this means for you: Our services are designed to be accessible and equitable for everyone.
