How one workplace health check saved Amy's life

Amy has bravely chosen to share her story of how a simple check‑up at work may have saved her life. Two years ago, Amy, Resource Management Analyst, booked a slot with a pop-up liver clinic which was on site as part of JLR Halewood’s partnership with the NHS and Knowsley Council. The service offered colleagues a free liver check and a one-shot fibrosis scan, used to detect early signs of liver disease or liver damage. Amy decided to attend the clinic simply because the opportunity was there - and that one decision changed everything.

Amy said: “I remember seeing the invite to the mobile liver clinic in the Team Talk newsletter and thought I’d go along. It’s brilliant that we have access to services like this through work.” Amy had no symptoms. She didn’t drink heavily or fit the typical profile for someone at risk of liver damage. But during her assessment, the clinicians found signs of scarring. Blood tests were taken and she was told a doctor would be in touch. A few weeks later, Amy received a call confirming she had borderline cirrhosis, a serious and potentially fatal stage of liver damage. The scarring was significant enough that it could have become irreversible and she was told she may one day need a transplant and that her risk of developing liver cancer was higher.

Amy described those first few days: “I just couldn’t take it in. I’d gone for a routine check‑up with no reason to expect anything was wrong and suddenly I was being told something so serious.” She later learned that the condition was likely caused by a genetic metabolic issue. Following her diagnosis, Amy began medication, made lifestyle and dietary changes and underwent regular scans. Recently, she received the news she had been hoping for - the scarring has reversed and she doesn’t have cirrhosis. Amy said: “I’ll still need monitoring but far less often and it doesn’t feel like a death sentence anymore. When this all began, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster. If this hadn’t been detected when it was, the outcome could have been completely different.” Amy also accessed counselling through work, which helped her process her diagnosis and stay focused on her recovery. “That support really made a difference so I could keep a positive and healthier mindset.  Despite everything, I became more determined - I even applied for an internal promotion and I got it.”

“If my story can help even one person, then sharing it is worth it. I want everyone to know how incredible our occupational health and wellbeing services are - we’re very lucky to have them. There’s no other way to say it - JLR saved my life.”