"I truly hope the service is able to continue"

2013 was a scary time for me. I presented with vomiting blood and was taken into Basildon Hospital. It later transpired I needed varices in my oesophagus banded.

I was treated by Dr Wright and his Liver team. It was through this team that I was diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis with an Autoimmune Hepatitis overlap. It was their knowledge and professionalism that enabled me to get treatment and effectively saved my life.

During the last couple of years, my condition became progressively worse but thankfully I continued to be looked after by the marvellous Liver team at Basildon Hospital. I was also referred to the Royal Free Hospital by Dr Wright. The service at Basildon Hospital has been invaluable in my treatment and the support received from the nurses made my life easier. With the knowledge of being able to contact the nurses if I felt unwell stopped me from having to visit A & E on more than one occasion.

I had a liver transplant in January. My life was made possible initially by an excellent and knowledgeable Doctor along with the best liver nurses.

I still have appointments with the team and their ongoing support is invaluable in my recovery and continued good health. Although I am of course totally grateful for the sterling work carried out by the Royal Free, I would have of liked most of my post-transplant care to have been under the Liver team at Basildon Hospital.

I truly hope the service is able to continue and possibly extend for future patients. I can’t stress enough the importance of this service from the nurses to Doctor Wright. I would imagine there are many patients that would agree with my sentiments.