A key element of how we will be able to improve the care we can provide our patients is through the review of our clinical pathways. There is significant opportunity to improve patient outcomes and experience through strengthening collaboration across pathways, and we can take joint responsibility for an entire patient pathway – improving flow, removing barriers and equity in accessing high quality care.

The CRG has been looking at how we start to prioritise and initiate clinical transformation of services. Five clinical pathways have been initially identified as having the greatest opportunity to positively impact patient care, workforce and resources.

  • Cardiology – Dr John Morris, Consultant Cardiologist and Associate Medical Director for Medicine, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
  • Respiratory – Dr Diana Lees, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine, Royal Liverpool University Hospital
  • Pain – Dr Chris Whitehead, Consultant Anaesthetist and Intensivist, and Clinical Director for Pain Medicine, The Walton Centre
  • Spinal – Mr Martin Wilby, Consultant Neurosurgeon, The Walton Centre and Clinical Lead for North West Spinal Network
  • Stroke – Dr Nik Sharma, Consultant in Stroke Medicine and Clinical Director for Stroke, Aintree University Hospital

Women’s services have also been prioritised, however, the work will initially be led by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and be informed by the outcomes of the Hospital Maternity and Gynaecology Services Review.

Services complete their clinical design workshops

Throughout September and October 2025, clinical design workshops took place with senior clinical leads from each of the hospitals involved the five services, looking at how we may be able to improve the patient pathway in the future, by removing barriers and improving flow. Task and finish groups are now established to bring together groups of clinical and operational staff to look at the detail of how we move from our current models to the future vision.

As with any service or clinical change, consultation will be held, and we will keep colleagues informed as the programme develops and any next steps.

If you have any questions about clinical transformation and the services that have been prioritised for integration, please email: integration.programme@liverpoolft.nhs.uk.