Urgent medical help

If you are in the UK and have an urgent medical concern, please contact NHS 111.
In a medical emergency, dial 999.

If you are outside the UK, please contact your local emergency or healthcare services.

Mental health and wellbeing

Living with a long-term condition can sometimes feel overwhelming. Support is available and it is important to reach out if you need it.

For information about mental health support and services in the UK, visit the NHS mental health pages https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

You may also find the following organisations helpful:

• Mind UK – information and support for mental health https://www.mind.org.uk/
• Samaritans – a listening service available 24 hours a day https://www.samaritans.org/

International support

If you are outside the UK, the Find A Helpline website provides a directory of mental health helplines in over 130 countries and may help you find support where you live https://findahelpline.com/

UK Liver Services

Your hospital care for PBC

People with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) can be looked after in different types of hospitals depending on what they need. Both local hospitals and specialist centres play an important part in your care.

Care at your local hospital

Some people with PBC are cared for by the Gastroenterology Team at their local hospital. These doctors specialise in conditions affecting the digestive system and are also trained to look after liver diseases such as PBC. They can arrange the necessary tests, keep track of your results, and support you during your treatment.

In some cases, you may be referred to a local hospital with a specialist liver service, with dedicated liver clinics that can provide expert care and ongoing support.

When you might see a liver unit

If your PBC becomes more complicated, or if your doctors think you would benefit from more specialist care, they may refer you to a regional Liver Unit. This is a normal part of managing liver conditions. Local hospitals and Liver Units work closely together, and referrals happen all the time.

Liver Units offer specialist liver doctors (hepatologists), more detailed tests, and treatment for advanced liver disease, including cirrhosis.

Referral to transplant centres

If your liver condition ever reaches a point where a transplant may be needed, the Liver Unit will arrange referral to one of the seven liver transplant centres in the UK. These centres are specialist hospitals that perform liver transplants and provide the highest level of liver care.

Wherever you are treated — at your local hospital or a Liver Unit — the aim is the same: to make sure you receive the right care at the right time. It is common for people with PBC to be looked after locally and only be referred to a specialist or transplant centre if needed.

Patients should first check with their GP for the most up-to-date information and guidance on referrals, specialist care, and liver treatment services.