University Hospital
As the demolition of the old Royal Liverpool University Hospital nears its conclusion, we spoke with colleagues who worked there, reflecting on the memories of the people who made it such a special place.
Margaret Lea, a receptionist, has worked at the Royal for nearly a decade, witnessing first-hand the care and dedication that made the hospital a place of community. Margaret's connection to the old Royal goes back to its opening in 1978, a moment that left her with a lasting sense of pride.
She said: “When the old Royal opened, it made you proud to be part of something that represented hope and progress for the city. You can't compare the two hospitals, it's different. When I started working here, I immediately noticed how much work was happening behind the scenes that no one ever thought about. It was incredible."
Her role as receptionist gave her a front-row seat to the extraordinary teamwork that kept the hospital running. She said: “Even in the most hectic times, like when the A&E staff were dealing with emergencies, everyone acted with such coordination and a focus on patient care. The hospital had a real sense of unity.”
In 2014, Margaret's connection to the hospital became deeply personal when her husband underwent surgery at the Royal.
She remembers meeting Mr Philip Cornford, the surgeon who treated him, years later when he came to her desk asking for directions to the conference room. “I recognised him immediately and burst into tears. I started thanking him for everything he did for my husband. Even though he didn't remember me, he was so touched to see the impact his work had on our lives," she says.
Although not all her team moved to the new Royal, Margaret reflects fondly on her colleagues in the Trust Board, especially the Executive PAs.
“The PAs in particular kept everything running smoothly, helping not just with the logistics but providing real support to everyone. They, and every single person, played a part that kept the hospital going day after day. I found a lot of comfort in working alongside them, especially after I returned to work following the loss of my husband in 2014. They helped me put my life back together, without even realising how much they were doing for me.”
One of Margaret's favourite hobbies at the Royal was listening to conversations in the lifts. “I'd hear real attitudes toward the hospital - patients talking about their worries and families going through tough times. But mostly I heard good things about the care we provided. It can be stressful, but we were always proud of the work we did,” she adds.
Reflecting on the demolition of the old Royal, Margaret says: “It feels like the end of an era. The hospital holds decades of stories, personal memories from patients and staff alike. You leave a piece of yourself wherever you are. I'll have mixed feelings when it's gone."
If she could say one final thing to the old Royal, it would be simple yet heartfelt: "Thank you to all who served and worked here. The people are the heart of the Royal, both old and new."
As the old Royal fades into history, its legacy lives on in the countless lives it touched, and in the memories that will continue to shape the future of healthcare at the new Royal.