Looking back at 2025: LHCH highlights

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on a year where our staff have continued to provide the best possible care and support for our patients and families.  In addition to this, over the course of the year, our teams have reached service milestones, celebrated achievements and marked successes.  Just some of these are listed below:

LHCH Perfusionist awarded fellowship to develop improved methods to prevent kidney injury after surgery

In January 2025, we shared that James Bennett, Clinical Perfusion Scientist at LHCH, was awarded a PhD Fellowship by Kidney Research UK.  This project, funded by the charity Kidney Research UK is focused on assessing the ability of free haemoglobin flitration to reduce renal cell injury.  The ambition of the project is to understand the factors in causing kidney injury, and to develop improved methods of protecting patients from this problem after surgery.

LHCH cardiology goes live

LHCH featured in the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society's (BCIS) flagship conference, Advanced Cardiovascular Intervention 2025, on Wednesday 30th January.

Two live cases from the LHCH Catheter Labs were streamed to a distinguished panel and audience in-person at the London Metropole Hotel.

It was a privilege, for all the team, to be able to provide a glimpse of the outstanding interventional cardiology care delivered on a daily basis.

First national Respiratory Physiology training for Speech & Language Professionals hosted at LHCH

Earlier this year we were pleased to host an ‘Introduction to Respiratory Physiology for Speech and Language Therapists (SLT)’ course here at LHCH.  It’s the first time LHCH has provided this course in partnership with the National SLT Respiratory Clinical Excellence Network (CEN). 

SLT professionals joined us from across the country to explore how breathing patterns, lung function and respiratory control impact the upper airway. 

Linq monitoring device service celebrates 10-year anniversary

In February, our Cardiac Diagnostics team were thrillled to mark ten years since the Medtronic Linq device was implanted for the first time for patients here at LHCH.  Since then the service has gone from strength to strength with approximately 1,500 implants completed for our patients by our small but highly skilled Physiologist team.

LHCH improves care for heart failure patients

A new first-of-its-kind remote management model of care for patients with heart failure, was rolled out across the region by LHCH.

The 'hub and spoke' model, using evidence-based digital solutions, was launched by community teams across Knowsley, Chester, and Wirral in a 6-month pilot.  The project's early outcomes align closely with NHS England’s approach to remote patient monitoring in transforming healthcare delivery.

LHCH is the TOP place to work in the country

LHCH was rated the TOP ‘place to work’ in the country according to the results of this year’s national NHS Staff Survey, when benchmarked against all trusts (published March 2025).

The results of this year’s survey, taken from more than 700,000 people working in NHS organisations, including all 210 trusts in England, also showed that LHCH was the TOP rated Trust in the country for four key survey elements:

• We each have a voice that counts
• We are safe and healthy
• Staff engagement
• Morale

Knowsley Community Respiratory Service (KCRS) achieved accreditation for Pulmonary Rehabilitation 

The KCRS team were assessed by the Royal College of Physicians earlier this year. 

Accreditation is awarded to services which have demonstrated they meet best practice quality standards covering all aspects of a pulmonary rehabilitation service including quality and safety, patient experience and the workforce.

Furthermore, LHCH was the first pulmonary rehabilitation service across Cheshire and Merseyside to achieve this accreditation.

25-year anniversary of the Liverpool Lung Cancer Unit

In April 2025, Liverpool Lung Cancer Unit colleagues marked twenty-five years of their outstanding service.  

The prevalence of lung cancer in Liverpool is far greater than the national average.  The service brings together the inpatient facilities of a large district general hospital with the diagnostic and investigative capabilities of a dedicated specialist unit, with the aim to provide seamless care for patients through the diagnostic journey. 

3D heart scans on NHS speed up diagnosis and save millions

Revolutionary AI-driven 3D heart scans cut the need for invasive tests and have already saved millions of pounds, according to analysis shared in May.

The study looked at the use of HeartFlow Analysis among 90,000 NHS patients over three years between 2017 and 2020, with the tool used on nearly 8,000 of them. 

Lead clinician on the study Dr Timothy Fairbairn, Consultant Cardiologist (pictured) said: “These results show that this technology reduces the need for tests so that patients only undergo necessary treatments, demonstrating how AI technology can both improve care as well as increase efficiency in the NHS."

LHCH Photo Competition returned

Earlier this year we were thrilled to be able to launch the LHCH Photo Competition and bring the 'Great Outdoors' back to corridors across LHCH.

We received over 200 entries from budding photographers, including patients, staff, volunteers and public, with the aim of helping us bring the ‘Great Outdoors’ inside here at LHCH.  Feedback received from patients highlighted that the artwork had helped to aid their recovery or put them at ease during their hospital visits.  

LHCH one of the TOP trusts in the country according to patients

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital has once again been named one of the BEST hospitals in the country, according to the results of this year’s national NHS Adult Inpatient Survey 2024.

The survey, published September 9th, showed that LHCH was in the TOP three trusts in the country for overall patient experience, and TOP in the North West.  

The results also recognised LHCH in the top 3 trusts in the country for 6 question areas.  LHCH also receive a 67% response rate - one of the highest response rates in the country.

New NHS Oversight Framework Ranked LHCH 4th Nationally

LHCH was ranked one of the top trusts in the country with the  introduction of a new NHS National Oversight Framework - a tool by which all NHS Trusts are to be measured.

LHCH ranks 4th out of 134 hospitals in the acute and specialist Trust league table.

The new quarterly league tables were launched in September 2025.

Knowsley Community CVD: Cardiac Rehabilitation Service Achieves National Certification

The Cardiac Rehabilitation team, from the Knowsley Community Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) service, achieved the NHS National Certification for Cardiac Rehabilitation for 2025/2026.

The National Certification Programme for Cardiac Rehabilitation is a joint project between the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR) and National Audit for Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR).  This means our Cardiac Rehabilitation services are recognised nationally reflecting the high standards of quality the service provides.  

Our Cath Lab team were pleased to carry out the first procedures here at LHCH using a new exciting, pulsed field ablation technology.  LHCH is the first hospital in the north of England providing this technology to benefit our patients with atrial fibrillation.

Dr Vishal Luther, Consultant Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist said: “The benefits of the new system, for patients and staff, includes shorter, seamless procedures and faster recovery times.  Thank you to the multi-disciplinary team involved in the successful installation of the new technology and completion of the first procedures.  We are delighted with the patient outcomes and results!”   

LHCH Grand Awards 2025 

On 21st November, we were were delighted to celebrate the outstanding work of #TeamLHCH at the LHCH Grand Awards 2025.

Roger Johnson, BBC North West Tonight Presenter hosted this year's awards.

You can read all the winners announced on the night below.