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NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) has initiated a public consultation lasting six weeks, from 2 June to 14 July 2026, seeking opinions on the future location of high-risk and complex gynaecology and maternity services within Liverpool. This engagement aims to address longstanding concerns about the safety and organization of these services, which currently operate primarily from Liverpool Women’s Hospital.
At present, Liverpool Women’s Hospital delivers most gynaecology and maternity care but is situated separately from other adult hospital facilities such as critical care, emergency services, and specialist surgical teams. This separation can create challenges in providing timely and safe treatment for women, particularly those who are seriously ill. To mitigate these issues, the NHS is considering relocating a small portion of very high-risk births and complex gynaecology surgeries to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, where closer access to comprehensive adult critical care and specialist support is available.
While this change would not resolve all difficulties linked to having services on separate sites—since it’s not always possible to anticipate which patients will require specialist care in advance—it is expected to enhance safety for patients undergoing planned high-risk interventions or those with significant medical conditions requiring concurrent management. Clinical teams would engage in detailed discussions with affected women about their care options before any changes are implemented. The proposal would affect around 1% of all maternity and gynaecology cases treated in Liverpool, which translates to approximately 30 pregnant women annually with serious pre-existing conditions and about 75 to 100 women needing highly specialized gynaecology care.
As part of the plan, the Royal Liverpool Hospital would develop a dedicated unit for gynaecology operations, high-risk births, and neonatal support designed to create a safer and more supportive environment for women and their families. Meanwhile, Liverpool Women’s Hospital would benefit from an enhanced care unit with increased specialist team support. Outpatient clinics would also be expanded at Aintree Hospital to improve access for women from northern parts of Liverpool. Additionally, the existing midwifery outreach services will be strengthened to provide extra assistance to pregnant women receiving care in other hospitals.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Executive Clinical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, commented on the proposal: “This proposal is about investing extra staff and resources into improving our gynaecology and maternity services for women in Liverpool, and making care safer for those requiring very complex or high risk procedures. We know that it won’t solve every problem related to having gynaecology and maternity services on a separate site from other specialist adult services. However, it will make a big difference to some of our most seriously unwell patients, and we think it’s the right thing to do what we can to improve care now, as well as continuing to work on longer-term solutions.”
The initiative was developed through collaborative workshops last summer, involving a diverse group of clinicians, non-clinical staff, voluntary sector partners such as Healthwatch, and a Lived Experience Panel consisting of patients and carers familiar with these services. If the plan moves forward, the NHS intends to invest around £5.5 million in upgrading treatment facilities at both Liverpool Women’s and the Royal Liverpool Hospital, alongside an additional £2.2 million annually to support increased staffing and resources.
Community members are encouraged to learn more and provide feedback by completing a questionnaire accessible via the NHS website. Support is available for those needing assistance with the survey, alternative formats, or paper copies. Public information events and smaller group discussions will also be held to offer opportunities for questions and detailed engagement. All responses will be independently reviewed and inform ongoing efforts to improve the quality, safety, and sustainability of gynaecology and maternity care services in Liverpool
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
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