On Tuesday 2nd June 2026, Healthwatch Lancashire attended an engagement event at Ormskirk District General Hospital. Our Senior Engagement Officer, Emmy, spoke with patients about their healthcare experiences at the hospital, including issues around accessing services.
Emmy held a pop-up in a different part of the hospital, which enabled her to have different conversations but also supported her in speaking with more staff members at the time of the visit.
Overall, Emmy found that patients were happy with their experiences of care at the hospital. Patients commented on the cleanliness of the building and how the staff are welcoming and helpful. During the pop-up, Emmy was able to gather a personal story from a patient who had recently given birth in Ormskirk Hospital.
Staff members spoke with Emmy throughout the visit and mentioned how they had worked at the hospital for many years and how they felt very well supported. There were some concerns raised by staff members over the current sickness policy and a few comments around the menopause policy, which is due to come into place next year.
Feedback
The list below features some of the feedback Emmy received from patients and staff during the visit. For this report, only comments regarding the hospital are included:
• I have worked here for over 20 years, and I love it here. It’s so lovely being with a patient on their journey.
• My partner was on the maternity ward, and the care was great. Staff couldn’t do enough for us both. I felt very included the whole time. We came in for a check-up today, and they’ve all been lovely again with us.
• I have been to Ruff Lane therapy centre today. I’ve never been before, but it was nice, very clean, and the staff were very welcoming.
• We have been to a gynaecology appointment, and they have been lovely every time I’ve been. We had breakfast here for the first time today, and it was really lovely. We will definitely come back for more.
• Every time I come to the hospital, I always comment on how clean it is, and there are always staff in the corridors and wards cleaning, which is nice.
• I have worked here a while now. I used to work at another hospital, but I feel I am more supported here, which is good.
• I am a bit concerned about the new sickness policy; they used to be really good with us if we were off sick, but I feel that has massively changed in the last few months, and a lot of us feel we can’t be off sick.
• I am worried about the support for women going through the menopause; we have been told there is a policy coming into place next year, but I’ve no idea what the support is now.
• I can’t fault the care received in both gynaecology and maternity. My daughter recently gave birth, and the treatment was A+. They were great with me and me. I think they are just brilliant; the only thing I would personally suggest would be more training for the midwives around conditions that women can get once they have given birth. This way, women can get the support faster and it is not delayed. My daughter had a condition that was missed, and she became very poorly.
We would like to thank the staff and volunteers who helped us on the day of the visit and for their continued support in Healthwatch. We are keen to continue working together moving forward and look forward to establishing the views of the community.