Liver conditions
Liver conditions cover a range of problems that affect how the liver works, from fatty liver to inflammation (hepatitis). Read more about liver conditions →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the gastroenterology wait (not specific to liver conditions), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
gastroenterology waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust | Sunderland | 4 weeks |
| Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust | Gateshead | 5 weeks |
| Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Cambridge | 6 weeks |
| East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust | Blackburn with Darwen | 6 weeks |
| Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust | Cornwall | 6 weeks |
| Whittington Health NHS Trust | Islington | 6 weeks |
| South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Middlesbrough | 6 weeks |
| Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust | Wakefield | 7 weeks |
About liver conditions
Liver conditions cover a range of problems affecting the liver, such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis (inflammation, often from infection or alcohol), and scarring (cirrhosis). Many cause few or no symptoms early on and are picked up on blood tests; when symptoms do occur they can include tiredness, tummy discomfort, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
How it is treated
Treatment depends on the specific condition and its cause. A lot can be done through lifestyle, such as cutting out alcohol, losing weight, and managing diabetes and cholesterol, which can halt or even reverse early damage. Medicines treat specific causes, for example antiviral medicines for some types of hepatitis. Regular monitoring with blood tests and scans is common, and specialist care is arranged where the liver is more seriously affected.
After treatment
Many liver problems improve or stay stable once the underlying cause is managed, and early fatty liver disease can get better with lifestyle changes. Ongoing monitoring keeps track of the liver over time, and keeping to the advice on alcohol, weight and any medicines is the main thing that protects it.
Sources: NHS: Liver disease. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.