A life-saving scanner that can spot the early signs of liver damage has been bought by the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity to help launch a Fibroscan service.

Fibroscan is a non-invasive procedure that measures liver scarring - providing a five minute, painless test with instant results. It will help thousands of patients at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital and Welwyn Garden City’s New QEII.

Doctor Simon Greenfield, clinical director of gastroenterology, said: “Deaths due to liver disease are increasing.

“The traditional way of measuring liver damage with biopsy is expensive, painful and time-consuming. The Fibroscan machine is a safe, accurate and convenient alternative.

“The purchase would not have been possible without the support of the hospitals’ charity and generous donations from rotary groups and a grant from Rotary International.”