Liverpool free liver checks at BSG LIVE

Liverpool residents will be offered free FibroScan liver health checks this June as part of the BSG LIVE 2026 Public Health Engagement Programme, a city health initiative running alongside the British Society of Gastroenterology’s flagship annual conference.

The public programme is linked to BSG LIVE 2026, which takes place in Liverpool from 22 to 25 June. A separate digestive health exhibit, Colin the Colon, will be installed at Metquarter Liverpool on Sunday 21 June.

Free FibroScan checks for Liverpool residents

The liver health checks will use FibroScan testing, described by organisers as quick, non-invasive and painless. The scans are intended to detect early signs of liver disease before symptoms appear, giving people a chance to seek advice, treatment or lifestyle support sooner.

Liverpool Experience Campus (LEX) is supporting the programme with The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG), the British Liver Trust, Liverpool Convention Bureau and Liverpool City Council’s Public Health team.

The source announcement says liver disease is now the third leading cause of premature death in the UK, while around 90% of cases are preventable. It also says alcohol-related liver disease remains one of the few major causes of death still rising among people under 75.

For residents, the practical point is simple: free scans are expected to be available while BSG LIVE 2026 is in the city, but the booking route has not yet been published.

Metquarter Liverpool hosts Colin the Colon

On Sunday 21 June, the wider public engagement programme will bring Colin the Colon, the inflatable exhibit from Guts UK, to Metquarter Liverpool.

The exhibit is designed to help people of all ages talk about and understand digestive health in a more accessible way. Its placement in Metquarter brings part of the conference’s public health work into a central city setting rather than keeping it only inside the professional conference programme.

BSG LIVE 2026 itself runs from 22 to 25 June. The public programme is being framed by organisers as part of LEX’s Legacy Strategy, which aims to ensure conferences held in Liverpool leave benefits beyond delegate spending and business tourism.

Booking details are still to come

Members of the public do not yet have a confirmed booking link for the free FibroScan checks. Organisers say details on how to book will be shared closer to the event.

People unable to access a scan during the programme, or anyone already concerned about their liver health, are being encouraged to speak to their GP or local pharmacy. The source announcement says liver health can be assessed through routine tests and, where appropriate, referral for further investigation.

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 the city, and that bringing free liver health checks into the community can help people understand risk and act earlier.

Professor Matt Ashton, Liverpool’s Director of Public Health, said liver disease often develops silently, making early detection critical. He said FibroScan testing in community settings gives people the chance to identify issues before they become serious and access the right advice and support.

Support is also available year-round in Liverpool for people worried about alcohol use. River, Liverpool’s commissioned drug and alcohol treatment service, offers free, confidential support by phone on 0151 706 7888.

Source: Liverpool City Council