Liverpool residents will be offered free liver health checks as part of the BSG LIVE 2026 Public Health Engagement Programme, running alongside the British Society of Gastroenterology’s flagship conference in the city.
The public programme is linked to BSG LIVE 2026, which takes place from Monday 22 June to Thursday 25 June. A separate digestive health exhibit, Colin the Colon, will be at Metquarter Liverpool on Sunday 21 June.
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Event | BSG LIVE 2026 Public Health Engagement Programme |
| Dates | Sunday 21 June to Thursday 25 June |
| Venue | Metquarter Liverpool for Colin the Colon on 21 June |
| Cost | Free |
| Public booking | Free scan booking details will be shared closer to the event |
| Who it is for | Members of the public, including people living in Liverpool |
Free FibroScan checks for Liverpool residents
The programme will make free FibroScan liver health checks available to people living in Liverpool while BSG LIVE 2026 is in the city. The source announcement describes the scans as quick, non-invasive and painless, with the aim of detecting early signs of liver disease before symptoms appear.
Booking is not yet open in the information released so far. Liverpool Experience Campus (LEX) says details on how members of the public can book a free scan will be shared closer to the event.
The initiative is being delivered with The British Society of Gastroenterology, British Liver Trust, Liverpool Convention Bureau and Liverpool City Council’s Public Health team. It sits within LEX’s Legacy Strategy, which is intended to help major events leave benefits for the Liverpool City Region beyond the conference itself.
Health leaders are using the event to draw attention to liver disease because, according to the source announcement, it is now the third leading cause of premature death in the UK and around 90% of cases are preventable. Alcohol-related liver disease is also described as one of the few major causes of death still rising among people under 75.
Colin the Colon at Metquarter Liverpool
The public-facing part of the programme begins at Metquarter Liverpool on Sunday 21 June, when Colin the Colon, an inflatable exhibit from Guts UK, will be installed in the city centre venue.
The exhibit is designed to help people of all ages understand digestive health in a more accessible way. The organisers say it will extend the reach of BSG LIVE 2026 beyond the conference setting and into the heart of the city.
For readers tracking local health initiatives, this programme follows wider work on health inequalities in the city, including Liverpool health gap projects recognised for practical community work.
Why the checks are being brought into the community
Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture at Liverpool City Council, said liver disease is “one of the most significant and preventable health challenges” facing Liverpool.
He said initiatives like this can help people understand their risk and act earlier, adding that free liver health checks in the community, alongside trusted support services, can help reduce harm, save lives and tackle health inequalities across the city.
Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool, said liver disease often develops silently, making early detection critical. He said FibroScan testing in community settings gives people an opportunity to identify issues before they become serious and to access advice and support.
Professor Ashton also linked the work to Liverpool’s developing Alcohol Strategy, which focuses on prevention, early intervention and access to help at the right time.
What to do if you cannot get a scan
The organisers say people who cannot access a scan during the event, or who are already concerned about their liver health, should speak to their GP or local pharmacy. Liver health can be assessed through routine tests and, where appropriate, referral for further investigation.
Support is also available year-round in Liverpool for anyone worried about alcohol use. River, Liverpool’s commissioned drug and alcohol treatment service, offers free and confidential support for people seeking advice and care.
People concerned about their drinking, or someone else’s, can contact River on 0151 706 7888 or visit the service website listed by Liverpool City Council for information about available support.
Source: Liverpool City Council
Source check Source trail
This event preview uses the confirmed dates, venue, organisers, cost and booking status from the Liverpool Experience Campus and partner announcement.
- Confirmed BSG LIVE 2026 runs from 22 to 25 June.
- Confirmed Colin the Colon is listed for Metquarter Liverpool on Sunday 21 June.
- Confirmed the liver health checks are described as free FibroScan scans for people living...
- Confirmed public booking details have not yet been published.
- Source
- Liverpool Express
- Scope
- Liverpool
- Updated
- 2026-06-05 01:10
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