NHS agrees next steps for women’s hospital services in Liverpool

At its meeting on 29 January 2026, the Board of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside agreed to progress with a proposal which will improve the safety hospital gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool in the medium term.

This proposal involves steps to increase resources at Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Crown Street, and to deliver a number of very high-risk births and complex gynaecology operations at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, rather than Liverpool Women’s Hospital.

Following the Board’s agreement to progress these plans, a full business case will now be developed, and a public engagement will take place ahead of a final decision being made. It is expected that the engagement will take place during summer 2026. 

At its meeting, the Board received an overview of an options process that took place during summer 2025, which concluded that the only options which would resolve the clinical risks for the vast majority of women would involve co-locating inpatient gynaecology and maternity services alongside other adult acute hospital services. However, these options would also have significant financial implications. Therefore, treating a small number of the most complex and high-risk cases at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital is seen as the only option which is deliverable in the medium term.

At this stage, the Board has not been asked to progress or discount any longer-term options, and it has confirmed a commitment to resolving the long-term sustainability of women’s services in Liverpool, and to engaging with NHS England about potential solutions to address this.

You can access a recording of the Board meeting, as well as the supporting Board meeting papers.

People can also stay updated on how this work to improve gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool continues to progress by joining our Virtual Reference Group.

For more information about the programme, visit www.gynaeandmaternityliverpool.nhs.uk.