Join us for an exclusive opportunity to explore the essential services that keep our hospitals running 24/7.
As part of our annual Estates and Facilities Day celebrations, we're offering staff unique behind-the-scenes tours and hands-on experiences across our three sites (Aintree, Royal, Broadgreen) on 16 and 17 June.
These tours offer a rare chance to see areas usually off-limits to most staff and gain a new appreciation for the complexity of hospital operations. From hands-on shadowing experiences to exploring high-tech facilities, green energy initiatives, and peaceful woodland spaces - discover the vital work that makes exceptional care possible.
Find more details about each tour and book your free tickets in the dropdown sections below.
1A. Estates Department Tour - Aintree University Hospital (AUH)
Discover the cutting-edge engineering and smart technology that keeps our hospital operational 24/7! Join Estates team for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of critical infrastructure and innovative sustainability initiatives.
What to expect:
- Building Management System (BMS) demonstration - see how we monitor and control plant & equipment remotely
- Solar installation tour - view recent solar panels on Windsor House, Zest and other buildings and learn about carbon reduction benefits, energy savings, and how renewable technology integrates with hospital operations
- UCAT plantroom visit - explore major plant and equipment with expert commentary
- DGH Sub-station tour - understand electrical distribution and the work required to maintain our systems
- ViE (vacuum insulated evaporator) explanation - discover the areas served and installation details
- Manifold rooms - behind-the-scenes look at critical distribution systems
Tour details:
- Date: Monday 16th June at 12:00pm
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Maximum participants: 7 people
- Meeting point: Estates Office, Aintree University Hospital (building 19 on the attached site plan)
- Tour leaders: Martin Hayes, James Reynolds
Additional sessions may be added if this tour fills quickly - book early to secure your place!
Book your place for this tour here.
1B. Estates Department Tour - Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLUH)
Join our Estates team for a unique tour showcasing the critical systems that keep our hospital running, including an optional rooftop experience with spectacular views.
What to expect:
- HV Generator systems - see our backup power generation in action
- ViE installations - explore our vacuum insulated evaporator installations
- 3rd floor technical areas - discover essential plant and infrastructure systems
- Optional rooftop access - weather permitting, join us on the top floor for stunning views and rooftop installations (Please note: rooftop access involves climbing stairs and is suitable for those comfortable with physical exertion and heights)
- Technical insights - learn about maintenance schedules and system monitoring
- Behind-the-scenes operations - see how we ensure 24/7 hospital functionality
Tour details:
- Date: Tuesday 17th June at 12:00pm
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Maximum participants: 7 people
- Meeting point: West Derby entrance, Royal Liverpool University Hospital
- Tour leader: Chris Flowers
- Accessibility note: Rooftop access is optional and requires physical capability for stair climbing - please consider your comfort level
Additional sessions may be added if this tour fills quickly - book early to secure your place!
Book your place for this tour here.
1C. Estates Department Tour - Broadgreen Hospital (BGH)
Join Estates team for an in-depth tour of Broadgreen's essential infrastructure, from critical plant rooms to cutting-edge theatre facilities and exciting upgrade plans.
What to expect:
- CSSD (Central Sterile Services Department) - learn what we do behind the scenes to keep this critical building operational
- Advanced plantroom tours - detailed explanations of the plant we maintain across multiple locations
- Rooftop solar installation - see our recently installed renewable energy systems (weather permitting)
- CHP and ViE systems - understand combined heat and power technology
- C Block plantroom - explore critical plant and upcoming upgrade plans including phased fan replacements
- UPS room tour - learn about uninterruptible power supply systems
- Alex Wing developments - potential behind-the-scenes look at ward refurbishment
- Alex Sub Station - generator testing and electrical distribution systems
Tour details:
- Date: Monday 16th June at 12:00pm
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Maximum participants: 7 people
- Meeting point: Sterile Services Department, Broadgreen Hospital
- Tour leader: Richard Diamond
Additional sessions may be added if this tour fills quickly - book early to secure your place!
Book your place for this tour here.
Discover the essential behind-the-scenes operations that keep our hospital running smoothly! As part of our Estates & Facilities Day celebrations, we're offering staff an exclusive opportunity to shadow our dedicated laundry team and witness the critical role they play in maintaining hospital hygiene and patient care standards.
What to expect:
- Work alongside experienced laundry operatives
- Observe the complete linen processing cycle from collection to distribution
- Witness high-capacity industrial washing and drying operations
- Understand the logistics of managing over a million items a year
- Perfect opportunity for clinical and non-clinical staff to appreciate the complexity of linen services
Tour details:
- Dates: Monday 16th June and Tuesday 17th June
- Times: 10:00-10:30, 13:00-13:30 on both days
- Duration: 30 minutes each session
- Maximum participants: 15 people per session
- Meeting point: Laundry Services main entrance, Aintree University Hospital (next to Sid Watkins building)
Witness the scale and precision behind every clean sheet and towel in our hospital!
Book your place for this tour here.
Join Nick White, our Nature Recovery Ranger, and discover the remarkable transformation of our 14-hectare woodland sanctuary! Situated between Aintree Hospital and Altcourse Prison, Bluebell Woods is a haven for wildlife including red squirrels, jointly owned by the Trust and Liverpool City Council. Much work has been carried out in recent years to improve accessibility and enhance biodiversity, creating a space that benefits staff, visitors, and the wider community while supporting wellbeing and conservation.
What to expect:
- Guided woodland walk - explore the mixed woodland and learn about ongoing transformation projects
- Wildlife and habitat insights - discover red squirrels and biodiversity enhancement work
- Community impact story - understand how this green space serves our hospital community
- Accessibility improvements - see the enhancements making nature accessible to all
Tour details:
- Date: Monday 16th June
- Time slots: 12:00-12:30 AND 13:00-13:30
- Duration: 30 minutes each session
- Maximum participants: 12 people per session
- Meeting point: Elective Care entrance to Bluebell Woods, Aintree University Hospital
- Tour leader: Nick White, Nature Recovery Ranger
The ranger programme is a partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare and is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. 
Book your place for this tour here.
Gain valuable insight into the critical operations of our hospital switchboard service! As part of our Estates & Facilities Day celebrations, we're offering staff the unique opportunity to shadow our skilled operators and experience firsthand the challenges and importance of this essential service.
What to expect:
- Sit alongside experienced switchboard operators
- Listen to incoming calls using training headphones
- Observe how operators efficiently manage and direct hospital communications
- Gain appreciation for the complexities of connecting callers to the right departments
- Perfect opportunity for all internal departments to understand call routing challenges
- Observe how operators manage Emergency calls.
- Observe how operators send voice message via the bleep system.
- Observe how operators manage on call rotas.
Aintree site sessions: 3rd Floor Tower Block, Ward 12 (outside lifts)
- Monday 16th June and Tuesday 17th June
- Four 45-minute sessions daily: 09:00-09:45, 10:00-10:45, 12:00-12:45, 13:00-13:45
- Maximum 3 participants per session
Book your place for this tour here.
Royal site sessions: CSSB 1st Floor
- Monday 16th June and Tuesday 17th June
- Five 45-minute sessions daily: 09:00-09:45, 10:00-10:45, 11:00-11:45, 12:00-12:45, 13:00-13:45
- Maximum 3 participants per session
Book your place for this tour here.
This is an excellent opportunity to understand a crucial hospital function that often goes unseen! See firsthand the challenges of connecting callers to wards and appreciate the vital role our switchboard team plays in hospital operations.
Step into our state-of-the-art Sterile Services Department at Broadgreen Hospital and discover how we process 19,000 surgical instrument sets monthly with 88 specialist staff using advanced technology that exceeds operating theatre standards.
What to expect:
- Follow the complete instrument journey - from collection points at operating theatres through to final distribution back to theatres, wards and clinical areas
- Step inside our ultra-clean room - experience our spotless, specially controlled environment where instruments are carefully prepared and packed
- See powerful sterilisation equipment - witness our high-temperature steam systems and special low-temperature technology for delicate robotic instruments
- Discover how we track everything - learn how our computer system follows every instrument right to individual patient records
- Watch the cleaning process - observe our specialist washing machines using purified water at high temperatures
Tour details:
- Dates: Monday 16th June & Tuesday 17th June
- Times: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 on both days
- Duration: 60 minutes each session
- Maximum participants: 8 people per session
- Meeting point: Sterile Services Department, Broadgreen Hospital
- Tour leaders: Robbie Cormie (Monday), Sandra Mallon (Tuesday)
Experience the precision and dedication that protects every patient, every day!
Book your place for this tour here.
Step into the shoes of our essential portering team and discover the vital role they play in keeping our hospital running smoothly! Shadow one of our porters and experience the physical demands and critical importance of this role.
What to expect:
- Shadow a dedicated porter - follow an experienced team member through their real daily operations
- See the complete job process - from receiving tasks via handheld device to safe patient transfers
- Experience diverse responsibilities - witness patient transfers, meal deliveries, medical equipment transport, empty bed management, corridor housekeeping
- Discover the physical demands - appreciate the fitness and stamina required for this essential role
Aintree tour details:
- Date: Tuesday 17th June
- Time slots: 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Maximum participants: 5 people per slot
- Meeting point: Porter Services Department, Aintree University Hospital
Book your place for this tour here.
Royal tour details:
- Date: Tuesday 17th June
- Time slots: 10:00am, 2:00pm
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Maximum participants: 3 people per slot
- Meeting point: Porters room 1st floor, Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Book your place for this tour here.
See the unsung heroes who keep our hospital moving around the clock!
