New women's hospital 'unlikely' in next 10 years

Liverpool Women's Hospital Trust argued since 2014 it needed to move to a new site next to an acute hospital

Plans to move a specialist women's hospital to a new building are "unlikely" to happen within the next decade, according to its chief executive.

Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Trust has argued since 2014 that relocating its maternity services closer to a major acute hospital would improve patient safety.

After years of debate and failed bids for funding, bosses have now said that no new building was likely to go up in a "five to 10-year timescale".

The hospital's chief executive James Sumner told the BBC no decision had yet been taken on the long-term future of the trust's services.

'Best option'

Mr Sumner said in the meantime the hospital was focused on "maintaining safety" by improving facilities and working with other organisations.

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have been contacted for comment.

A move to a new site, connected to the Royal Liverpool Hospital by a footbridge, was identified as the best option for the future of Liverpool Women's Hospital (LWH) by an independent review carried out in 2016.

However, bids for funding have been knocked back by central government.

Diana Princess of Wales opened the hospital in 1995

At a recent LWH board meeting, Mr Sumner gave a verbal update on a programme aimed at improving how the city's hospitals work together.

He told colleagues that current plans assumed no new maternity hospital building was likely within five to 10 years.

Minutes from that meeting stated: "Recognising that clinical risks owing to the current isolated site were materialising, discussions were held on alternative solutions for citywide women's healthcare.”

Some in the city have opposed the closure of the Crown Street site, including Labour MP for Riverside Kim Johnson.

"It would never be justified to close this hospital, located in the heart of Liverpool 8, a working class diverse community," she said.

Riverside MP Kim Johnson said the "lengthy debate" over a new hospital had become a "distraction"

Ms Johnson suggested the board had been "distracted" for too long by the "lengthy debate" over a new building and it would be better to invest in the existing site.

Mr Sumner told the BBC: "Comments in our recent board meeting relate specifically to general logistical timescales that can be expected for any new building development and were not an indication as to what the long-term solutions might be for the Trust’s services."

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