Health chiefs have approved a recommendation to relocate high-risk maternity and gynaecology services from Liverpool Women’s Hospital to the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
The NHS Cheshire and Merseyside board argues that co-location is the “only viable option” to ensure patient safety.
Dr. Fiona Lemmens emphasized the urgency of the shift, stating, “We can and should be doing better than this” regarding avoidable clinical risks.
The proposal has sparked significant backlash from campaigners who fear the specialist Crown Street site is being undermined.
Critics question how the already overstretched Royal Liverpool will accommodate the additional patient load.
Despite the concerns, officials maintain that the move affects less than 1% of patients. Sir David Henshaw insisted the board must act, declaring, “we can’t prevaricate any longer” on the issue.