The NHS is currently holding a six-week public engagement (15th October to 26th November 2024), giving people an opportunity to comment on the issues facing hospital gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool.
With just two weeks left until the engagement closes, those who haven’t yet taken part are being urged to share their views.
The engagement asks people to comment on a case for change, which describes how the biggest challenge facing hospital gynaecology and maternity services is that they are located on a different site to other medical and surgical care. Liverpool Women’s Hospital is the only specialist centre for gynaecology and maternity in the country where this is the case.
It’s a situation which can create delays to care, with patients who develop unexpected complications sometimes having to be transferred by ambulance to other local hospitals for treatment. Currently, around 220 ambulance transfers are made between Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the Royal Liverpool or Aintree hospitals every year – and about half are in emergency situations.
It also means that when women attend an A&E department in Liverpool with a pregnancy-related or gynaecological issue, the specialists that they need to see are not available on that hospital site either. This happens, on average, to four pregnant women every day.
Ways to get involved in the engagement include:
- People can learn more about the case for change and share their views by completing a short questionnaire at: www.GynaeAndMaternityLiverpool.nhs.uk
- People can register to attend an engagement event where they can hear from clinicians involved in delivering these services and take part in a small group discussion – find event details here.
Anyone who needs this information in a different language or format can call: 0151 702 4353 or email: [email protected]
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said:
“Although issues around hospital gynaecology and maternity care in Liverpool have been looked at before – this is a fresh opportunity to tackle what we believe is an urgent health priority for our city.
“At this stage, no proposals are being put forward, and no decisions about how services might look in the future have been made. That’s because it’s really important that we hear from local people first – including those who have used these services in the past, or might use them in the future.
“What people tell us during this engagement will help inform the next stage of our work, and that’s why we want to encourage as many people as possible to complete the questionnaire to share their views on the issues presented.”
People can learn more, read the full case for change or a summary version, and also watch short video clips from NHS staff involved with gynaecology and maternity care at: www.GynaeAndMaternityLiverpool.nhs.uk
Once the engagement closes on 26 November 2024, all responses gathered will be analysed by an independent organisation and put into a report, which is likely to be published in early 2025.
The feedback will be used to help inform what happens next, including the development of any proposals for how hospital gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool could look in the future.
To find out more about the issues and share your views now, please visit: www.GynaeAndMaternityLiverpool.nhs.uk