NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group

University Hospitals of Liverpool Group has secured NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) strategic funding to lead pioneering healthcare research across the North West. This significant investment will support innovative projects in dental care, women’s health and pharmacy — with focus on making research more inclusive, accessible and impactful for all. You can learn more about this development on our website: https://bit.ly/45l1dcY.

We are immensely proud to announce that Aintree University Hospital’s medical care services have been rated Good by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection in October 2024, improving on the previous rating of Requires Improvement. This marks the final of six reports rating LUHFT services as Good, which is an outstanding achievement. This includes LUHFT achieving a Good rating for being Well Led - the CQC now gives a single trust level rating, which is the rating for the well-led key question for a trust. Services and locations are still rated for all five key questions and given an ‘overall’ aggregated rating. For the purposes of CQC regulation, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT and Liverpool Women’s NHS FT are still considered as separate statutory entities, and the well-led inspection was of LUHFT hospital sites, however the CQC report acknowledges that the UHL Group Board now covers both trusts. Following their inspection at Aintree, the CQC rated the service Good for being Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well Led, and Requires Improvement for being Safe. Assessors highlighted that the service has a positive learning culture, with regular training, patient safety events and transparency in sharing lessons learnt with staff reporting they feel confident to raise any concerns or highlight any issues. The service was described as friendly and helpful, with patients, their families and carers praising staff on their prompt responsiveness and determination to provide reassurance when explaining care and treatment plans. Colleagues were said to prioritise personalised care and adapt to meet the needs of the individual, always maintaining cleanliness, reducing risk and ensuring patients feel safe. Peter Turkington, Executive Managing Director of Aintree University Hospital, said: “This Good rating is a true reflection of the dedication and determination of our talented colleagues at Aintree who work hard to provide the very best quality of care to our patients. I am pleased that the CQC has recognised the improvements that we have made, in particular the collaborative work we are doing with our partners to ensure patients receive care in the most appropriate setting. “The CQC did indicate areas for improvement, and we are working to address these, but this improved rating is a fantastic achievement that our teams should be very proud of.” Visit our website to read more 🔗 https://bit.ly/4kTvzIf

Congratulations to Shaun Murney, who is our Employee of the Month. 🤩 Shaun, a healthcare assistant in our Emergency Department at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, was nominated for enabling an end-of-life patient to have his final wish of seeing his only daughter on her wedding day. Whilst caring for the gentlemen who was too ill to attend his daughter’s wedding, Shaun organised a blessing in the hospital chapel, inviting the priest from Liverpool Cathedral, and helping the patient to get smartly dressed to witness his daughter walk down the aisle and have a blessing by the priest. The nomination read: “Without Shaun going to so much effort this would not have been possible. Shaun demonstrates a strong work ethic and always goes above and beyond in his role, working extremely hard to maintain a safe emergency department. He is always willing to support patients and staff in need and we are very lucky to work with such a dedicated and kind person.” Our judges said: “Well done for going above and beyond! This is such a beautiful nomination and what Shaun achieved for the family is immeasurable. This is a real showcase of compassionate and empathetic care - well done Shaun and thank you!” “Well done Shaun for acting outside your role to go above and beyond in such emotional circumstances! This is a powerful nomination and Shaun's compassion allowed this patient his dying wish - thank you Shaun, a fantastic thing to do.” 👏 💙

This month we have two fantastic winners of our Employee of the Month award! 🌟 Today we are shining the spotlight on Rose Foulds, Lead Nurse for Inpatient Haematology at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, who is celebrating an outstanding achievement of 40 years working for the NHS in Liverpool. Rose was nominated for performing above her role to support patients and colleagues. With most of her career spent in Haematology Oncology and Haematology, Rose has worked her way up through the ranks right up to Matron, supporting the development of many members of staff. Her nomination read: “We want to thank Rose for all the care, compassion and the thousands of patients lives that she has touched, and the amazing role model she has been to so many members of staff.” Over the years Rose has performed beyond her role, securing food parcels for patients and colleagues in need, comforted those receiving bad news and always been there to support staff with any concerns or worries, providing emotional support and ensuring that everyone is well cared for. Colleagues added: “She has made a huge difference to people’s lives where the outcome could have been very different if Rose hadn't intervened. She is a fantastic human being and is somebody to look up to and strive to be like.” Judges said: “Well done Rose! Your employees clearly think so highly of you, you should be proud! “It is a beautiful nomination and testament to the care and compassion Rose has shown to the many patients she has cared for over her career, but also her colleagues and team members. A huge thank you to Rose for all that she has given to others – it’s  clear this nomination has been made with such love and respect for a beloved colleague!” 💙 Look out for the announcement of our other brilliant Employee of the Month in a few days! 👏

Congratulations to our Ocular Oncology team at the Royal who have been awarded Team of the Month. 👏 The Ocular Oncology team was nominated by a patient who praises the service for their “efficiency, responsiveness, caring and compassionate nature and ability to share information with empathy and clarity, saving a patient’s eye and vision.” The nomination explained: “Not only did the team save my eye and my vision, they’ve listened to my concerns (my mum died of, and my sister has multiple metastases untreatable) and responded with increased consideration for me and my family. This journey has reminded me how great the NHS can be and how many people wouldn’t be here without it. “As a member of support groups nationally, I don’t hear anything that compares about other sites. This is truly a well led, seamless and safe service. Anxieties about issues are dealt with calmly and the containment and responsivity not only ensures no deterioration of physical or psychological complications, but rapid intervention.” The judges said: “An amazing nomination which highlights the expertise and professionalism of the team but also, their person-centred approach and compassionate care for the patient - a huge well done to all involved! “Excellent patient feedback - saved their sight and kept their faith!” 💙

Today, we are celebrating the NHS turning 77 years old. Here are some photos of our staff through the years. #NHS77 #NHSBirthday

As part of #GlaucomaAwarenessWeek, Consultant Ophthalmologist Neeru Vallabh from St Paul’s Eye Unit spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside’s David North about his diagnosis of glaucoma, what glaucoma is, plus how it's detected and treated. ➡️ Tune in today, Thursday 3 July from 3.20pm

Congratulations to Joanne Bell, Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) Specialist Nurse, who was presented with the Award for Exceptional Services to TTP Patients from the TTP Network 🏆 As part of the TTP Network Patient Event 2025, Joanne picked up the national award which was nominated for by her patients. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a rare blood disorder, that affects between 6 to 10 people in every million. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the TTP Specialist Centre for North West England and is the second largest centre in the country, treating about 100 patients at any one time. The Liverpool TTP team was also a finalist for the Exceptional Services to TTP Patients award. Joanne is a specialist nurse for this rare group of patients and is their main point of contact for advice and support. She said: “It means so much to be receive this award, especially because it was the patients that I look after who nominated me. It is a privilege to be able to support them along their journey living with TTP.” Some of the nominations from patients included: "Jo goes above and beyond with every patient. She’s always there to answer every question, however stupid you think it may sound. She’s caring yet professional, hard-working yet patient-focused and knows how reassure you when you’re struggling with TTP." Another patient said: "Jo, my TTP contact nurse, has helped me return to work. She worked alongside my manager and a member of The Vitality 360 team. Who are a trained team in fatigue and the many other issues I have as a TTP patient."

Celebrating Excellence in Estates and Facilities 🏆 UHL Group employs 1,800 Estates and Facilities colleagues who play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and functionality of our hospital sites, helping to provide a high level of care to our patients. During National Healthcare Estates and Facilities Day, we recognised the amazing contributions of our E&F colleagues with an awards presentation, naming 45 winners. Among them, we would like to highlight our E&F Team of the Year and Unsung Hero awards. E&F Team of the Year winners were the Royal Liverpool University Hospitals Domestics team. This exceptional team consistently maintains the highest standards while ensuring their areas remain spotless and welcoming for patients and staff. Their collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to excellence makes them true champions of patient care. The first of our two Unsung Heroes was James Bilbao, Trust Surgical Instrument Manager. James maintains and improves the quality of our surgical instrument inventory across our hospitals, ensuring instruments meet clinical needs. He always goes above and beyond, implementing innovative solutions and engaging all staff while encouraging teamwork and making everyone feel valued. The second Unsung Hero was Claire Highcock, Assistant Estates Officer. Despite being relatively new to the E&F team, Claire has shown exceptional dedication and leadership on matters critical to patient and staff safety. She has played a key role in developing essential inspection programmes, working with structural engineers and clinical departments to ensure work is completed without disrupting patient care. Thank you to our thirty community partners and lead event sponsors B&M Waste Services Ltd and Tilbury Douglas, for allowing us to further recognise and celebrate our E&F colleagues.

UHL Group is a strong supporter of staff who contribute to defence services, acknowledging the invaluable skills, leadership, and resilience they provide to both the Armed Forces and healthcare. Armed Forces Week (23-28 June) enables us to pay tribute to colleagues who serve, or who have served in our Armed Forces and recognise their commitment to our country, which represents the selflessness and dedication that inspires colleagues and patients alike. Aintree, Broadgreen and Royal Liverpool University Hospitals have recently achieved reaccreditation as an ERS Defence Gold Holder for a further five years and Liverpool Women’s University Hospital are actively working towards Gold. This strengthens our reputation as a leading advocate for the Armed Forces community. It is a fantastic achievement and testament to the hard work and effort that has enabled us to reach this milestone. Liverpool University Hospitals has also been awarded the coveted Veterans Aware accreditation, recognising the Trust’s dedication to supporting veterans in healthcare. Understanding our patients and staff veterans’ status enables us to signpost the community towards support to recognise their service and address their bespoke needs. 💙