All six health boards in Wales with an acute medical intake are now registered with the UK national accreditation scheme for liver services, Improving Quality in Liver Services (IQILS).
The IQILS project, led by the Royal College of Physicians and supported by the British Association for the Study of the Liver and the British Society of Gastroenterology, is working alongside the Welsh government’s national liver disease delivery plan to improve care.
The IQILS scheme helps hospital services to:
- meet professional best practice standards
- identify areas for improvement
- satisfy independent care quality standards.
Responding to the success of IQILS, RCP vice president for Wales Dr Gareth Llewelyn said: 'The welcome news that every single health board with an acute take is now signed up to IQILS demonstrates our commitment in Wales to tackling a serious and growing health problem.'
The health boards registered with IQILS are:
- Abertawe Bro Morgannwg
- Aneurin Bevan
- Betsi Cadwaladr
- Cardiff and Vale
- Hywel Dda
- Cwm Taf.
The welcome news that every single health board with an acute take is now signed up to IQILS demonstrates our commitment in Wales to tackling a serious and growing health problem.
The RCP will be carrying out peer review visits over the next 2 years, with follow-up recommendations sent to the six health boards. The Welsh government has provided an initial £100,000 of funding to deliver the initial peer review process, and health boards will be asked to cover the cost of the accreditation service from then on.
Dr Andrew Yeoman, consultant hepatologist and clinical lead for the Wales liver plan, commented:
The liver disease delivery plan views the IQILS process as an integral part of our strategy to improve liver services in Wales. Adoption of the IQILS framework will lead to more structured and patient-centred services for people suffering from liver disease. In addition the sharing of best practice through knowledge management system facilitates a ‘Once for Wales’ approach which minimises duplication and promotes greater equality of service provision.
We are delighted to be working closely with the highly supportive team at the RCP Accreditation Unit on this vital initiative.
Involving patients from the beginning of the project is a key priority. IQILS is working with PSC Support, a charity which helps people affected by primary sclerosing cholangitis, as well as the British Liver Trust to put patients at the very centre of improvements. As part of the Welsh government-funded liver disease delivery plan, a British Liver Trust team in Wales will be raising public awareness of liver health and providing support for people at risk of, living with or affected by liver disease in Wales.
The Improving Quality in Liver Services accreditation scheme is run by the RCP working in partnership with the liver community, professional bodies, societies and patient groups. For more information contact askiqils@rcplondon.ac.uk.
