‘Massively reduced’ length of stay emerging at much criticised new hospital, says CEO

The CEO of a troubled trust has said evidence is emerging of ‘massively reduced’ length of stay in a new hospital criticised for being too small.

Emergency staff have raised concerns about a lack of space and bed capacity at the new Royal Liverpool Hospital, which opened in October, as services have come under severe pressure this winter. The new building, on a next-door site to the old hospital, has fewer beds, although more have opened elsewhere in the city.

In an interview with HSJ, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust chief executive officer James Sumner acknowledged aspects of the new building have created difficulties, including in relation to accident and emergency configuration and capacity, but added the move’s benefits are beginning to be seen.

He said a new care model and single rooms throughout the whole hospital are helping to reduce length of stay, as well as eliminating bed closures due to infection outbreaks.

He said: “We’ve got really good evidence of massively reduced length of stay in this new building, [with] about 70 fewer people every day waiting over seven, 14 and 21 days in hospital.

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Source: HSJ, 1 February 2023