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.
Ask almost anyone in Liverpool and they’ll likely have a personal connection to the Royal, whether through a loved one who received care there or someone who worked among the many dedicated teams.
The hospital was originally built to replace three healthcare facilities in the city: the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, the David Lewis Northern Hospital, and the Royal Southern Hospital. At the time, its modern design and state-of-the-art technology were considered revolutionary, signalling the start of modern-day patient care. Gone were the traditional Nightingale-style round wards, replaced with a layout designed for efficiency and expanding services.
As the city’s skyline changes, the spirit of care and commitment embodied in staff like Yvonne Smith, Unit Manager on the Gastroenterology Unit, is steadfast. Yvonne began her career in 1978 and will soon celebrate an incredible 50 years of service within the NHS. She is one of only a select few who has worked at all three of the Royal hospitals, an achievement not many can lay claim to.
“I trained at the old Royal Liverpool Infirmary,” she recalls. “There were about 70 of us in my set, and we lived on site. It was very different back then, right down to how we put on our uniforms. We wore a white cap, apron and a navy cape with red trim for errands during night shifts. It looked smart but wasn’t very practical!”
Yvonne has witnessed huge shifts in healthcare over the years, especially in technological advances. She said: “I remember the old round wards with fireplaces. They weren’t built for the volume of patients we see today. We were one of the first team to move into what was then the new Royal, the change in layout and structure was striking, it allowed us to care for many more patients in a much more efficient way.”
Over the years Yvonne has seen more than just buildings change, so too has the nursing profession itself. “When I qualified, only doctors could prescribe antibiotics. Now we have Nurse Consultants, Specialists and Practitioners. It’s inspiring to see how nursing has evolved.”
Throughout her long and varied career Yvonne has worked in many different departments from the A&E to Dermatology, however her core belief has never changed, the basic principles of care. “No matter what the advances in medicine or changes in buildings were, the foundations of good care remain the same. My core skills have enabled me to work on multiple wards and clinics in and around the hospital over the years. The nursing skills we were taught back then continue to be passed down and can be applied anywhere.”
Among her earliest memories are those watching the construction of the now old Royal. She said: “We’d sit on the rooftop of the old hospital and watch the new one being built. Sometimes, if it was warm, we’d even sleep up there. Leaving a building you know so well is hard, so many memories, friendships, hard times and truly wonderful times, but I’m excited for what’s next.”