MP's one-word response to Liverpool Women's Hospital plans

A Liverpool Member of Parliament has delivered a 'resounding' response to plans that could see maternity services controversially moved away from Liverpool Women's Hospital.

Last month, the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside board agreed on a major case for change that could mean maternity and gynaecology services are moved away from the site of the Liverpool Women's Hospital in Crown Street, Toxteth.

Health bosses are arguing that the biggest challenges facing these services is the fact they are located on a different site to most other acute and specialist care, which can cause problems and delays with care.

Liverpool Women’s is the only specialist centre for gynaecology and maternity in the country where this is the case, but any previous attempts to change the way these services are delivered have been met with fierce resistance across the city. And tensions erupted again at last month's board meeting, with campaigners labelling health leaders as "liars" and suggesting they will have "blood on their hands" if the proposed changes go ahead.

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A six-week public consultation will conclude tomorrow, which the NHS says is aimed at giving people an opportunity to comment on the issues facing hospital gynaecology and maternity services in Liverpool.

And Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne has now issued his own response to the consultation - and it is unequivocal. He posted a letter he has sent to the NHS board on social media.

Mr Byrne wrote: "I am writing to convey in the strongest possible terms that Liverpool Women's Hospital and all its services must remain at Crown Street. This is very important to my constituents in Liverpool West Derby and on behalf of them I am saying a very firm 'no' to your proposals."

The MP then included a number of questions asked by his constituents in response to his request for their views. He added: "It is entirely unacceptable to expect people to agree to this engagement without clarity on these fundamental issues.

He added: "I believe maternity services require a significant increase in funding - which is not even mentioned here and the shortages of specialist staff are not caused by Liverpool Women's being one mile from the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but by fundamental problems with workforce planning nationally.

Mr Byrne said: "I am fully aware of the winter crisis in emergency services and I dread to think of pregnant women being pushed into the long waiting times in Liverpool's accident and emergency departments. The far faster times at Liverpool Women's Hospital have often saved two lives at once."

He concluded: "I fully intend to resist all attacks on provision for the women of our great city and to reiterate, I am saying a very firm 'no' to this engagement exercise."

Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside said: “Although issues around hospital gynaecology and maternity care in Liverpool have been looked at before, this is a new opportunity to tackle what we believe is an urgent health priority for our city.

"Before we begin developing potential options, we need to hear what staff, patients and members of the wider community think about the reasons for change being presented, and gather their experiences of using services.

“Gynaecology and maternity services are key parts of our local NHS, and the organisations involved with providing this care are committed to working together to find a long-term solution to tackle the challenges we have. It’s really important that we also hear the voices of the local people who depend on these services, so that this can inform our work as we move forward.

"At this stage, no decisions about how services might look in the future have been made. However, whatever proposals might be put forward at a later date, it’s important to stress that the Crown Street building where Liverpool Women’s Hospital is based will remain a key part of our local NHS system, and we are continuing to actively invest in and develop this site.”