‘Alright My Liver’ nurse who has helped deliver thousands of lifesaving screenings named as “Rising Star”

A University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) nurse’s hard work has been recognised by the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Nurses  & Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Rising Star Award 2025.

Sally Tilden, a Hepatology Clinical Nurse Specialist, has been awarded for her integral work delivering the Alright My Liver service, which has identified liver disease in the community across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Since the service launched in 2022 more than 4000 people have received potentially life-saving liver screenings with many invited to a follow-up appointment in a specialist clinic for an assessment, vital advice or treatment.

People who attend these clinics can receive a FibroScan of their liver which can detect signs of liver disease immediately. If needed, they can then be directed to the most appropriate service and those eligible can start receiving treatment.

Sally has spearheaded the new service and raised awareness across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire about liver disease.

While often associated with lifestyle choices, many adults in the UK are at risk of developing liver disease without realising it.  

Sally said: “It’s not just about alcohol consumption; we’re really trying to destigmatise liver disease as so many people are at risk. High cholesterol and obesity are also contributing factors.

“The scans give an instant result, and it has been great to get out to so many places and do some of the outreach work we do with homeless charities, and organisations which help people with drug and alcohol issues.

“The next step is to try and reach more of those harder to reach communities. When we go to events, places of work and GP practices it is a great opportunity to give people an immediate result so they can make the right choices for their health. But when we go out to places like food kitchens or prisons, we often see a bigger proportion of people with liver disease who did not know they had it. We can put them on the path to treatment.”

Since 2002 Sally and the UHBW Alright My Liver team have set up clinics in some of Bristol’s most deprived areas and held prominent awareness events in hospital car parks, the city centre and even Bristol City Football Club.

Now, along with the rest of the Alright My Liver team, Sally is helping to expand the programme. She has trained another hepatology clinical nurse specialist to perform outreach in Weston-Super-Mare.

But Sally hasn’t stopped there, she has even co-developed a diet sheet to help people who are struggling financially to still make healthy eating choices.

Jane Gitahi, UHBW’s Community Matron and Bristol and Severn ODN Lead Nurse said: “Sally has worked so hard to deliver the Alright My Liver service, and has helped train more colleagues so we can help even more people.

“Liver disease causes 10,000 deaths in the UK, every year. However, most members of the public have no idea they are at risk of liver disease, which is why the Alright My Liver Service is so important.

“This award is a reflection of the important work Sally has done in helping us create a service which reaches people who often do not engage with health organisations and deliver thousands of potentially lifesaving scans.

“Congratulations to Sally, and the whole Alright My Liver team, for delivering such an exceptional service.”