PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
25th Anniversary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Liver Support Group (27 November 2023)

That this House celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Royal Victoria Hospital Liver Support Group in Belfast; notes the work they are doing to monitor the position of liver cancer across Northern Ireland and furthermore, across the UK; highlights that unlike screening for breast cancer, there is no standardised, central screening programme for liver cancer, which is most commonly detected at a late stage in those most likely to develop the disease and that this late detection results in poor outcomes for those patients, with a survival rate, post-diagnosis, of only 13% after 5 years; further notes their work in lobbying for a clear, adequately funded and resourced pathway for liver care in Northern Ireland, which should focus on early detection and on-going management of liver patients, with the aim of educating the public on liver health risks such as obesity, substance abuse and poor exercise; thanks in particular Jim Kilpatrick for his incredible dedication to the RVH, after being diagnosed with Liver Disease himself in 2017; and further thanks all the staff and volunteers involved for their work and effort paving the way in terms of support for those with Liver Disease and Liver Cancer.

Sponsored by:
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)