Liverpool Women's Hospital open for patients after explosion

Patients have been told to attend appointments at Liverpool Women's Hospital as normal after a taxi exploded outside the building.

Police are treating the explosion, which killed the passenger, on Sunday morning as a terrorist incident.

Security has been tightened, with a police cordon still in place and officers stopping vehicles for checks as they enter the car park.

Visiting arrangements have also been restricted until further notice.

Families of babies on the neonatal unit have been asked to contact the hospital.

The hospital also said birth partners were permitted to attend "for all parts of the pregnancy journey including scan appointments" but visitors must book their visit.

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Vehicles currently onsite within the police cordon cannot be moved at present.

The hospital said people had been asked to use the new neonatal unit entrance until further notice.

It said patients would be notified if their appointments had to be altered.

Police officers are keeping guard near the blast scene

A hospital statement added: "Anyone with appointments at the hospital will notice an increased security and police presence on site.

"Where possible we ask that anyone attending the hospital avoids bringing their vehicle."

Anyone with a car should park either in the overspill car park on Mulgrave Street (off Upper Parliament Street) or in designated parking spaces in residential areas near to the hospital.

Once patients and visitors are onsite they will not be permitted to leave the building and come back, the hospital spokesman added.

Patients have been advised to keep checking the hospital website for further details.

Anyone with urgent patient queries should contact the main switchboard on 0151 708 9988.

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