Come along to the one of the sessions below to hear site updates from the Royal and Liverpool Women's Executive Managing Director, Leanne Cooper, and members of your Hospital Leadership Team.
Session dates
23 July, 2pm - 3pm.
Teams link available soon.
27 August, 2pm - 3pm, Teams link available soon.
24 September, 2pm - 3pm, Teams link available soon.
29 October, 2pm - 3pm, Teams link available soon.
26 November, 2pm - 3pm, Teams link available soon.
17 December, 2pm - 3pm, Teams link available soon.
Q&A responses
Q: Is there any update on a staff entrance being created for the Linda McCartney building?
A: A feasibility study is being completed as the building use has changed from its original design and intention.
Q: Are there any plans to add more disabled bays outside the Royal?
A: There are plans for more bays as we move forward with the ongoing construction works. We are looking at how we can potentially use the space that’s going to be created from the demolition of the old Royal on a long term basis to expand our car parking options.
Q: Is there any scope for extending the opening of the cafe in Linda Macartney Centre?
A: We are currently reviewing the opening times of our outlets, however in the event of staff shortage we sometimes have to close units earlier.
Q: Will there be any more electric charging points added to future car parks?
A: This will be picked up by the Executive Managing Director as part of her car parking review with the Estates Team. An update will be shared in the December 2025 session.
Q: Will there be any more opportunities for bids for digital transformation projects?
A: Nationally each year, we often get last minute funding bids come out from the national team and we get them at quite short notice. We anticipate, because of the focus on digital, we will be asked for digital bids. Please do bring your ideas forward and let’s get those bids ready.
Q: Would be great to see areas other than wards have a LQA accreditation to celebrate
A: Lindsey Vlasman, Royal site Director of Nursing, will pick this up with the Quality Teams.
Q: Is it possible to see more of a celebration of teams other than clinical?
A: At these sessions, we want to celebrate all colleagues, clinical and non-clinical. The staff successes included on the session are pulled together by the Communications Team from information they are sent. If you would like to include a staff success story in the next session, please email communications
Q: Are there any updates on the plan to improve signage around the site?
A: Yes, we have a wayfinding group looking at improving signage across the site.
Q: Why are night staff not beyond a Band 6? Also, why are some difficult wards that should be 1-1's, sometimes working at 1-5?
A: All our wards are staffed using the Safer Nursing Care Tool and patients are assessed on all shifts using the enhanced care policy to ensure patients who require 1 to 1 care are provided with this. Wards are staffed with agenda for change bands and job descriptions.
Can we look at putting a sign 'stop for pedestrians crossing' on the crossing by the bereavement centre please? The crossing lights don't work so many visitors / taxis don't stop.
A: All drivers should obey the rules of the road, and they are the same on Trust roads as the highway. We will investigate and resolve why the lighting on the crossing isn’t working.
Q: Can parking please be stopped on the pavements outside the entrance?
A: We have increased the car parking enforcement team, they patrol all sites especially hot spots of poor behaviour, however they are few and cannot be permanently stationed in any one place so there is a reliance on drivers obeying the rules of the road, and they are the same on Trust roads as the highway.
Q: How were the new tables paid for on the lower ground floor of the main atrium?
A: The tables in the atrium were not new when the Royal opened, they had previously been in use at Aintree and have reached the end of life and needed replacing for safety reasons this was funded from capital with the aim of maintaining the service from the outlet.
Q: Staff and patients are still smoking outside the Royal. What has been done so far to combat this and can this be monitored more?
A: While Smoke free policy states it is everyone's responsibility, security have increased patrols at the main entrances across all sites and ask people to move away from entrance doors who may be smoking. “Smoke free” is not the responsibility of security and is led by Anthony Duffy Programme Lead, Service Improvement.
Q: Can you confirm if there are any plans to install additional EV charging point at the Royal?
A: Additional funding has been secured and extra chargers are due to be installed in the Royal MSCP. As the site roads develop we will consider additional chargers at every opportunity.
Q: Who is responsible for the outside lift? There are constant complaints about how dirty it is.
A: We will review the abuse of this key facility and any antisocial behaviour and will look into changing the cleaning regime to try to make it fit for purpose at the start of every day.
Q: How do I receive a pin for years of service? Who do I contact?
A: Please contact momentsthatmatter@liverpoolft.nhs.uk
Q: Is it possible for the new green space part of the old site to be a smoke-free space? We desperately need more green space for staff and patients around here, but I feel like people will just use it as a smoking area and it will be unbearable.
A: Yes, this is certainly something we will look into.
Q: Are there any plans for a car park for both patients and staff to be built on the old Royal site?
A: We have issued a statement to Liverpool City Council planning department that sets out our vision for the site of the Old Royal. The plans propose a temporary staff car park that will comprise of 116 spaces, just off Prescott Street.
Q: Administrative Professionals Day - can more notice be given next year that this is coming up so that we can celebrate it with all our admin staff?
A: Thank you for your suggestion, we will look into this for you.
Q: Would it be worth putting the celebrating success section at the start of MD briefings to build momentum and positivity from the start?
A: Thanks for the suggestion. We are reviewing some of our communications approaches so will take this on board and will discuss with the HLT.
Q: I’m a DM out of hours, historically staff came to us out of hours to authorise patient transport. I have been to General Office they said taxi books are still being given out as Uber do not take certain items, i.e. blood samples and that delta is still to be used. Please could you advise?
A: You are correct, Uber are transporting people only. Until it changes, please use the taxi book at RLH site for the movement of goods (not people) and the switchboard team will still organise.
Q: Will staff who have not been successful with their VR application be notified?
A: Yes, they will be notified if the relevant division/ HLT has declined the application as the post cannot be released. For those applications which were supported in principle but dependent on funding, they are 'on hold' but communication will be issued in the near future when external financial support has been confirmed.
Q: Every day I have to park and retrieve my bike by walking through a group of people (usually staff) smoking. This is not only illegal, it is very unpleasant and gives an extremely poor impression to visitors to the hospital. They should not be allowed to smoke within the hospital, in a covered area. I would like to know why this is allowed to continue.
A: You are right, this should not be happening by staff on site, can you email the Security Manager at the RLH site (Clinton Bottrell) with the details of the location please?
Q: Some corporate TOMS have not been started yet, such as outpatient nursing. When is this likely to be started?
A: The Corporate Nursing TOM has been though the Quality Assurance Review process in March. It will also be shared with staff side colleagues as part of the UHL Group partnership group. Engagement with colleagues regarding the design of the Target Operating Models should have been an ongoing process, any consultation with staff regarding changes to roles/ structures will commence after the approval process has completed, so in the coming weeks. For specific information please reach out to the SRO for the relevant corporate service (David Melia for corporate nursing).
Q&A responses
Q: Will Voluntary redundancy be an annual process moving forward, or was it just a one-off during the current process?
A: As part of the current VR process, there is a potential for a 'phase 3' which is dependent on external NHSE funding. In respect of future schemes in the years ahead, this is not currently known but is a possibility, and both MARS and VR schemes have run across both sites in previous years.
Q: CPS11 - Can we see the QAR? We were promised visibility of these but have yet to see anything.
Outputs from the QAR, and the detail of the target operating model should be shared with corporate teams from their Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) - the Group Exec Director for the service. The TDU team have committed to providing an overview of all of the TOMS.
Q: Will DISCO cover ophthalmology at Aintree?
A: Yes, St Paul's Eye Unit operates both at RLULH and AUH. DISCO will therefore cover ophthalmology at Aintree and the Royal.
Q&A
Q: Are all of the recent Employee of the Month award recipients aware that they have received the award?
A: Most or all Employee and Team of the Month winners are aware of their awards. In some cases, there can be a short delay while arrangements are made for photographs and recognition activities.
Q: The discretionary awards panel meets almost a week after the deadline, creating a slow turnaround. At LWH the previous process was quicker. Can this be reviewed?
A: AWAITING RESPONSE
Q: Can guidance be shared regarding working hours being affected by the current weather conditions?
A: Managers have been asked to apply flexibility where staff are impacted by heat, school closures, transport disruption or similar issues. The Special Leave Policy should be applied appropriately depending on individual circumstances.
Q: Will there be a review of the sickness policy? There are concerns that it has not been fully developed with the workforce or shared before launch.
A: Consultation has taken place through Staff Side representatives and directly with some managers. A single UHLG sickness policy has been developed as a priority to ensure greater consistency across the Group.
Q: Is it possible to see more Estates and Facilities and support staff recognised through Employee of the Month awards, rather than predominantly clinical staff?
A: Annual awards for Estates and Facilities colleagues have recently taken place, and significant efforts are being made to recognise the achievements and contributions of these teams.
Q: There seems to be continual cost cutting despite staff shortages and vacancies not being replaced. At what point does this become unsafe?
A: This concern is shared by many colleagues. The Trust must balance the external requirement to deliver financial savings while maintaining safe staffing levels and patient care standards. Safe service delivery remains a key consideration when decisions are made.
Q: Can the CIP strategy be made more visible to clinicians so projects can be aligned to cost improvement priorities?
A: Yes. Further detail can be provided to clinical colleagues to support alignment of improvement initiatives with organisational priorities.
Q: Can admin vacancies be included in weekly Vacancy Control Panels (VCPs)? Decisions can currently take 6–8 weeks despite staff leaving on four weeks’ notice.
A: The process is currently under review. At present, non-clinical posts are considered monthly by Group Executives, but the concerns regarding timescales are recognised.
Q: It is often stated that unnecessary spending should be avoided, but what qualifies as unnecessary spend?
A: AWAITING RESPONSE
Q: When will the new sickness policy be discussed?
A: The policy launches on 1 July. Manager briefing sessions, communications and toolkits are being made available to support implementation.
Q: Offices within the Edwards Building are becoming extremely hot, with some areas lacking opening windows and adequate ventilation.
A: The issue will be escalated to Estates through the adverse weather and heatwave response arrangements. If reference numbers for previous reports are provided, the status of these requests can be followed up and investigated further.
Q: Given the number of upcoming maternity and neonatal initiatives (including Ockenden, Amos, Thirlwall, Martha’s Rule and the Postnatal Care Bundle), how will the Trust ensure teams have sufficient capacity?
A:Please discuss with the Hospital Leadership Team.
Q: There are concerns that some staff car parks appear underutilised while staff remain on waiting lists for permits.
A: The Car Parking Team regularly reviews capacity and demand. Permits are issued accordingly while ensuring suitable parking availability is maintained.
Q: When will the EV chargers at LWH become available, and will they be accessible to all staff?
A: The implementation date will be confirmed and further details will be provided through Liverpool News.
Q: When will the podium works be completed?
A: AWAITING RESPONSE
Q: Why are ICT staff based in Jeffcoate Building at LWH still receiving free access to the rear car park?
A: Please provide details directly via email (craig.
Q: Operational teams have already delivered significant CIP savings and are struggling to identify further opportunities. What additional support is available?
A: Congratulations on the progress made so far. Colleagues are encouraged to get in touch directly and will be connected with experts who can help identify further opportunities. A face-to-face discussion will also be arranged.