Your GP will refer you to our Department if they are concerned that you have problems that require a specialist opinion regarding the diagnosis or treatment of the condition. 

Waiting times for clinics range from 1-12 months depending on urgency, which is assessed from the letter we receive from your GP.

Before coming to our clinic, you may be asked to undergo further tests such as blood tests, urine tests or X-rays. This will help determine how quickly you need to be seen and ensure you get as many answers as possible when you are seen. It is important that you have any tests done promptly to reduce delays in being seen at the liver clinic.

Clinic appointments typically last 40 minutes for the first visit and 15-20 minutes for subsequent visits.  A history of your symptoms will be taken and you will undergo a physical examination. Please bring any medications that you are taking with you.

Northland District Health Board is a training facility, so you may be seen initially by a trainee specialist (Registrar) or trainee doctor (Medical Student). In these situations, you will also generally be seen by the consultant and the liver nurse specialist.

You may be referred for some of the following radiology tests, depending on your condition: ultrasound scan, CT scan or MRI. You may also be asked to come back at a later date for a liver biopsy.