NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG) receives formal approval

Today (10 October 2024) it has been formally ratified that Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust (LWFT) will come together as NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group from 1 November 2024.

The Group will build upon existing joint-board arrangements by developing one shared Board. Although LUHFT and LWH will remain in operation as statutory entities, in all other aspects they will delegate authority to NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG).

Under this arrangement, the hospital sites which will form NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG), consist of:

• Aintree University Hospital
• Broadgreen Hospital
• Liverpool Clinical Laboratories
• Liverpool Women’s Hospital
• Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Both LUHFT and LWH Board of Directors approved this direction of travel in September 2024. This decision is being presented publicly today (10 October 2024) at LWH’s public board meeting, followed by LUHFT’s public board meeting on 31 October 2024. These will be the last separate board meetings for both Trusts.

David Flory, CBE, Chair of LUHFT and LWFT said:

“Liverpool University Hospitals NHS FT and Liverpool Women’s NHS FT have been working collaboratively for a number of years, even more so with our recent joint-executive and chair appointments. Forming NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG) further supports Liverpool Women’s Hospital’s long-stated ambition to be aligned to a larger acute trust to support the management of identified clinical risks.

“The two Trusts are committed to improving the quality of care, as well as the timeliness and effectiveness of services for the benefit of the people and communities we serve.

James Sumner, Chief Executive of LUHFT and LWFT added:

“Our clinical services will continue to run as normal and for patients there will be no noticeable changes to the way services within the Group function, other than the benefits that people will see as a result of closer working. The formation of UHLG will help to streamline decision-making and develop further collaboration opportunities, recognising the challenges with the demand for services, workforce capacity and finance that all impact on the quality of patient services.”

Over recent weeks, a successful recruitment process has taken place to appoint the Group Board of Directors for UHL and the Hospital Leadership Team for Liverpool Women’s Hospital. All other hospital sites within the Group have an existing Hospital Leadership Team in place.

It is confirmed that Jenny Hannon, who is currently Chief Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive at LWH, has been appointed as Executive Managing Director of Liverpool Women’s Hospital. She has more than 10 years’ experience in senior NHS roles.

James added: “I’m delighted to announce Jenny’s appointment. Her knowledge and experience of Liverpool Women’s Hospital will be critical in maintaining the identity, voice and influence in serving women and their families in Liverpool and across the wide range of communities it serves.

Jenny will be a member of the Group Board of Directors and Group Executive team.

Speaking about her appointment, Jenny said: “I am really proud to continue to serve the patients of Liverpool Women’s Hospital and their families as we embark on this new arrangement as part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group.  It gives us an opportunity to continue providing the very best of what Liverpool Women’s does with the additional support that has long been identified in managing some of the clinical risks we have face.  All of which will benefit our patients and colleagues as we move forward.

Alongside the appointment of the Liverpool Women’s Hospital Executive Managing Director, the other Group Executive roles have also been confirmed:

Further appointments will be announced in due course. NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHL) will be formally established on 1 November 2024.