News

We have funding for 2 Clinical Research Fellows in Hepatology to contribute to the further development of our extensive research program. These posts will commence in September on a fixed term contract for 12 months in the first instance, renewable for a maximum of 3 years depending on progress towards an MD or PhD.

There has been significant investment and growth in liver research at the Peninsula Medical School, with excellent laboratory facilities present adjacent to Derriford Hospital at the Derriford Research Facility where the Hepatology Research Group ( https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/hepatology-research-group ) and the Centre of Environmental Hepatology (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/centre-of-environmental-hepatology ) are based. Active clinical research programs span alcohol related liver disease, the use of big data and AI for early liver disease detection, to mechanisms of protection from viral hepatitis. The Centre of Environmental Hepatology, led by Professor Shilpa Chokshi, has a cutting edge and expanding program of translational and basic science work looking at the impact of micro- and nanolastics on liver health. The research programs are delivered and supported by a strong team of senior post-doctoral scientists, clinical research fellows, and PhD students.

Informal enquiries welcomed at this stage with interviews scheduled for April - please contact Professor Matthew Cramp or Professor Ashwin Dhanda, matthew.cramp@nhs.net or ashwin.dhanda@plymouth.ac.uk.

BASL’s Trainee Subcommittee members are nearing the end of their tenure and we are seeking expressions of interest from trainees to take over these roles.

The subcommittee was formed to increase regional representation for hepatology interested trainees.

We are still seeking expressions of interest for the following regions:

• Midlands
• Wales

Key roles will be in the promotion of hepatology locally and assistance in delivering BASL Trainee Educational events. 

Read more here:  Download BASL_Trainee_Subcommittee_Aims_Jan2026.pdf

Application:
The post will be for 2 years and members are invited to submit an expression of interest to judy@basl.org.uk detailing which region you are interested in representing, along with a personal statement containing no more than 300 words, explaining why you want to represent your region and what you can bring to the BASL Trainee Subcommittee.

NB: You must have a training number in Gastroenterology to apply.

In the case of multiple applicants for a region the Secretariat will arrange for an election of the BASL In Training members. Representatives will be elected by simple majority of those members voting. (The personal statement will be shared with the membership if there is a vote and will be used for this purpose only.)

Deadline extended for the above two regions to 23:59 on 24th February 2026.

If you have any specific questions about the subcommittee roles, please do not hesitate to contact the BASL Committee Trainee Representative Dr Wenhao Li @ wenhao.li@qmul.ac.uk or admin@basl.org.uk .

BASL is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work. It is actively promoting equal opportunities and access for all our members regardless of their background. We would, therefore, encourage you to consider representing your region on the BASL Trainee Sub-Committee to help to shape the future of BASL and increase our inclusivity/inclusiveness.

We look forward to hearing from you.

BASL has agreed with the Baveno Cooperation to support up to five online registrations for the forthcoming Baveno VIII Consensus Workshop. This workshop will set the agenda for the care of patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease. It also provides attendees with the opportunity to learn more about the assessment of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension in addition to the management of patients with advanced chronic liver disease.

BASL will support free online registration for three consultant members and two trainee members.

Applicants will be selected on the basis of experience in the assessment and management of portal hypertension and the impact of attending the meeting on their practice and local services.

Applications will only be accepted on an application form.

Please find the links below to complete and submit an application:

Consultant Application Form
Trainee Application Form

Please apply now - the deadline is 23:59hrs 6th February 2026

Visit the Baveno VIII Consensus Workshop for further information on the event > HERE .

Contact admin@basl.org.uk if you have any questions.

NB: this is only open to BASL members. 

The scope and remit of liver nurses is diversifying year on year, and we remain constant in the care and management of people with and at risk of liver disease.  The diverse skills that we possess, such as being person centred, collaborative, advocates, solution focused, proactive, and demonstrating emotional intelligence in response to changing needs continue to be showcased by liver nurses locally across all four nations of the UK.

The BLNA are seeking liver nurses with a drive and enthusiasm to be involved on a national level in supporting, educating and demonstrating leadership for the liver nurse community.

The BLNA Committee requires 2 new committee members from April 2026 due to planned demitting, and are now seeking nominations for the following posts:

• 2 x 2-year tenure posts

This is an exciting opportunity for liver nurses to get involved with our friendly committee and share their skills and experience. You will gain experience working collaboratively and strategically at a national level to ensure that the needs of people with or at risk of liver disease and liver nurses are represented at the highest levels in the UK. The BLNA are key participants in several workstreams including the UK Liver Alliance, IQILs refresh, BSG liver section, BASL X-tra, RCN competence framework etc.

Expectations of committee members:

To attend monthly committee meetings held via Zoom, these take place usually on either the first or second Monday of each month; 13:00-14:30pm for full committee meetings or 12:30-13:30pm for interim committee meetings, these alternate each month

To attend the BLNA annual meeting and at least 1 face to face committee meeting each year.  The planning, organisation and delivery of the BLNA annual meeting is a fundamental element of our responsibilities.

To attend additional meetings and complete associated workload necessary to the BLNA workstreams mentioned above.

To contribute to the review of abstract submissions for the BLNA annual meeting.

To contribute to the judging of applications for national awards recognising excellence and innovation in Hepatology.

To contribute to the planning and delivery BASL / BLNA webinars.

To provide content for the BLNA newsletter.

To contribute to articles related to liver nursing for publication in professional journals.

Please read some of the testimonials from BLNA members who have joined the committee:  Download BLNA_Committee_Testimonials2026.pdf

If you are interested in joining the BLNA Committee, you must be a registered nurse with an interest in liver care and be a BLNA member.

BLNA Committee Member Nomination Process

Candidates wishing to be considered for election require one BLNA member to propose them, and a second BLNA member to confirm their suitability for the role in writing, by email.

Please note to be eligible to nominate, both the proposer and seconder must be a registered nurse and any nomination should include your NMC PIN number.

Email your nominations, including your NMC PIN number, to Judy at the BASL Secretariat at judy@basl.org.uk by the deadline of 23:59hrs on Monday 9th February 2026.

A personal statement, containing no more than approx. 300 words, is requested at the time of nomination from the candidates.  The personal statements will be shared with the BASL BLNA membership should an election take place. (Personal statements are intended for this purpose only.)

If more than 2 candidates are nominated, the BASL Secretariat will arrange for an election of all BLNA members. 2 candidates will be elected by a simple majority of those BASL BLNA members voting.

Important information -

Newly elected BLNA committee members will be required to attend an On-boarding meeting via Zoom on Monday 23rd March from 2-4pm.

Newly elected BLNA Committee members will take over in post from 1st April 2026 and will be expected to be available to join the monthly committee meeting via Zoom which is taking place on Monday 13th April 2026 from 13:00 – 14:30pm.

BLNA Committee “Taster Experience”

Due to the success of a 1 year “taster experience”, the BLNA will be offering this role again for 2026. This role will be to join the BLNA committee on a 1-year term commencing in April 2026.

This “taster experience” would suit a registered nurse who is either under 5 years qualified, or new to the area of liver care, may be working in a ward environment (liver or gastro), or newly appointed liver related CNS. You will receive mentorship and support to assist you to gain insight, experience and develop skills in educational delivery and support for liver nurses; as well as increase your knowledge and understanding of strategic working at a national level.

The dates set out above in the important information also apply to this post.

Application process
To apply for this “taster experience”, please complete the application form below and submit it by email to Judy at the BASL Secretariat at judy@basl.org.uk  by the deadline of 23:59hrs on Monday 9th February 2026. 

Download BLNA_Taster_Experience_Application_Form_2026.pdf

(If you require a word version of the application form please contact admin@basl.org.uk)

The BLNA committee will make a decision based upon the information included in the application form as to a suitable candidate for the 1-year term. 

Dianne Backhouse, BLNA Chair, is happy for members who are interested in joining the committee or applying for the taster experience to contact her if they have any questions, you can reach Dianne at dianne.backhouse@nhs.net or you can speak to one of the BLNA committee members, see the testimonials for members contact email addresses.

BASL is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of its work. It is actively promoting equal opportunities and access for all our members regardless of their background. We would, therefore, encourage you to consider joining the BLNA committee to help to shape the future of BASL, BLNA and liver nursing in the UK, and increase our inclusivity/inclusiveness.

This scheme will offer approximately 10 bursaries a year to health care professionals working with people diagnosed with or at elevated risk of liver disease, to encourage and enable the professionals to develop their counselling skills to help them support these individuals in modifying their lifestyle to reduce their risk.

The bursary will cover the fees for an on-line certified course in Motivational Interviewing. The scheme is aimed at both professionals working in acute hospital services and also professionals working in the community including in organisations such as drug and alcohol services.

Applicants will have a choice between a one-day interactive online course offered by ETAL training on specific dates or a recorded course offered by APT constituting 18 hours of CPD which can be accessed anytime and taken in stages.

Bursaries will be awarded throughout the year. Applicants working in the Staffordshire area will have priority; applications from elsewhere in the UK will be considered. Decisions on awards will be made by a committee of people with experience working in hospitals and the primary care sector. The bursaries will be awarded from a fund held for this scheme by the British Liver Trust.

Awardees will be expected to provide a feedback report after they have completed the course in order to provide an audit trail for the expenditure of the charitable donations and also to enable us to assess the impact of the bursaries.

Applicants should complete this online form: Application Form.

Read more about Dr Alison Brind > here 

If you have any questions about the bursary or the application process, please contact alisonbursary@gmail.com 

(Added 15.12.25)