The Crunch Women’s meeting in Liverpool erupts in shouts and protests

Supporters have vowed to fight any attempt to remove these services from Crown Street and promised to make their voices heard at a meeting at the Holiday Inn in Lime Street today – and indeed they did. There was tension throughout as members of the community chanted loudly and accused the health board. One suggested that those in charge would have a ‘reader on their hands’ if the proposed changes go ahead, while another loudly labeled health leaders as ‘a bunch of they are liars.’ At various places the meeting was stopped while songs were sung and signs were raised.

Several members of the Save Liverpool Women’s Campaign, who have fought previous proposals to move services away from Crown Street, gave impassioned speeches at the meeting. Lesley Mahmood asked how the process was being run, adding: “Liverpool 8 women see Crown Street Hospital as a safe haven. Dispersal of services is unacceptable. and special services for women and definitely gender inequality.” Mrs Mahmood became very excited as she added: “We want the Women’s Hospital to stay on Crown Street.”

NHS nurse Ann San, who stood as an independent candidate in the recent General Election was facing allegations from the NHS board at the meeting. He said: “I remember hearing years ago that Liverpool Women’s Hospital was going to close. I was one of the people who said they wouldn’t close it, it’s the crown jewel of this city. “I can’t believe it. Nine years later we’re sitting here talking about the grave,” he added: “We can’t trust anything you say because you’re a bunch of liars.”

At one point, the otherwise tense meeting turned into an open protest. Board chairman Raj Jaine was trying to end the public question period, but those in the public gallery wanted another member to speak. There were loud shouts for him to ‘speak’ for several minutes, before he was finally allowed to express his views. Some supporters held up a sign that read: “Closing hospitals is murder.”

Following a public inquiry, NHS leaders have tried to clarify the reasons for the case to change which could see maternity services leave the current site of Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Another important point raised is that when pregnant women go to the big cities for different reasons, there is no knowledge of childbirth for them. Liverpool Women’s medical director Lynn Greenhalgh said: “Women going to the Royal or Aintree are not getting the care they want from midwives, those conversations are not happening. We don’t think they are getting the general care they need. need.”

Dr Greenhalgh added that more than 2,000 women who are pregnant or have a gynecological disease attend Royal or Aintree every year. He said that in today’s time, these mothers do not see the clothing they need.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, assistant medical director for Merseyside and Cheshire, pointed out that Liverpool is unique in that all other specialist obstetrics and gynecology centers in England are clustered together with large, acute hospital services. and emergencies. He pointed to a map showing the distance between Women’s hospitals and acute hospitals, saying that when an emergency arises, any place is a problem.

Dr Lemmens, who stressed there were currently no firm proposals on the table, said it was “too early to think” about what services might look like in Crown Street if maternity and women’s services removed, but added that the board was “fully committed to the NHS services provided at the site.”

At the end of the meeting, the board approved the case for the change, meaning a six-week public consultation period will begin next week. When cries of ‘shame on you’ ring out at the end of the conference, the assembled health leaders will know they have a real battle on their hands.