Liverpool Women's Hospital Listening Event

Healthwatch Liverpool held a listening event at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in March 2019, gathering feedback from 55 patients, parents, carers and visitors across antenatal, maternity, gynaecology, neonatal and outpatient services. Overall, feedback was highly positive, with 93% of respondents rating the hospital 4 or 5 out of 5 and an average score of 4.43 out of 5. Patients consistently praised staff, describing them as friendly, compassionate, supportive and professional. 

Many respondents highlighted the quality of care, the welcoming environment and the support provided during complex pregnancies, neonatal care and gynaecology treatment. Parents with babies on neonatal wards particularly valued the specialist care, communication and emotional support they received. Staff and volunteers who helped people navigate the hospital were also highly praised, with many patients saying they felt listened to and involved in decisions about their treatment.

The main concerns related to communication, appointment systems, parking and staffing pressures. Some patients reported delays receiving appointment letters, long waits for appointments and difficulties contacting departments by telephone. Others felt information about treatment plans, test results or discharge arrangements could be provided more quickly and consistently. Parking availability and navigation around the hospital were also recurring concerns. While most people felt staffing levels were adequate, some reported longer waits for assistance at night and felt staff were under pressure. 

Healthwatch concluded that Liverpool Women’s Hospital provides a highly valued service with compassionate staff and strong patient experiences. Recommendations focused on improving the timeliness and consistency of communication, reducing delays in appointment systems, addressing parking concerns and ensuring patients receive clear information throughout their care journey.