Final call for feedback on proposed changes to high risk and complex maternity and gynaecology care.

Now four weeks into the eight week engagement, which launched on 2nd June and will close on 14th July 2026, the NHS is making a final call for feedback on the proposed changes by encouraging people to complete a short questionnaire at: www.gynaeandmaternityliverpool.nhs.uk.

The engagement focuses on proposals to improve the safety of hospital gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool, particularly for women requiring very complex or high-risk care.

The proposals also include a range of measures focused on enhancing services for women being treated at the current Liverpool Women’s Hospital site, supported by an extra £5.5m year on year investment for additional staff and resources.

Since launching the engagement, the NHS has been actively seeking views from the local community, working with a wide range of different local community groups and organisations across the city.

The NHS has also been talking directly with patients who have personal lived experience of receiving the kind of complex or high-risk care that is the focus of this proposal to understand more about their experiences.

To date, more than 350 questionnaires have been completed, reflecting valuable feedback from across the community. The NHS has also been speaking to patients on a one-to-one basis, and sharing information about the proposal at various community group meetings and events across the city. However, there is still time for more people to take part.

The NHS has been looking at how to improve the safety of hospital gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool for a number of years.

Currently most of these services happen at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, on a separate site to where most other adult hospital care happens - including critical care, emergency care, and specialist surgical teams.

This situation can sometimes cause delays in women getting to the right treatment – particularly when a woman requires a very complex level of care.

On average, about four women a week currently have to be transferred by ambulance from Liverpool Women’s Hospital to another adult hospital, in an emergency situation.

To help address these issues, the NHS is proposing that in future a small number of very high-risk births and complex gynaecology operations would be carefully planned to happen at the Royal Liverpool Hospital in advance.

The proposal also includes a £2m investment into developing new facilities at both hospital sites, and will also see more outpatient appointments offered at Aintree Hospital to better support women from the north of the city.

A summary booklet explaining the details of this proposal, and outlining the reasons why services need to change, is available to read and download at: www.gynaeandmaternityliverpool.nhs.uk.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, Executive Clinical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “We appreciate everyone who has already taken the time to get involved and give us their feedback on this proposal so far, because we really want to get these improvements to care right for women in our city.

“This proposal is about enhancing staffing levels and resources to improve gynaecology and maternity services for every woman in Liverpool, as well as making care safer for women who require the most complex or high-risk level of care, and community feedback will play an important role in shaping how services look in the future.

“As we enter the final weeks of this engagement process, we want to remind people that it’s still not too late to take part if you haven’t yet shared your views. We want to hear from as many people as possible.”

The questionnaire is available online at: www.gynaeandmaternityliverpool.nhs.uk 

If you require a paper copy, or would like the information in a different language or format, contact 0151 702 4353 (Monday to Friday, 8.30 am–4 pm) or engagement@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk 

All feedback received will be independently analysed and used to help shape the next steps.

The engagement period will close at midnight on 14 July 2026.

For more information, visit: www.gynaeandmaternityliverpool.nhs.uk