As I write this, my niece Karen's baby boy is receiving dedicated care on our neonatal unit. I know he couldn't be in safer hands. My nephew Daniel's partner is due to give birth in the near future. That will be four family babies born at Liverpool Women's since I took up post. These relatives feel confident coming here because they sense how proud I am of the hospital and know I'm happy to recommend it to them.
I have good reason to be - many reasons in fact as illustrated in a document we have just compiled called 100 Reasons to be Proud of Liverpool Women’s in 2011. It's good for all of us to look back sometimes and remind ourselves of the successes we have chalked up in our lives be they personal or work related.
This report is a reminder to staff, patients and other stakeholders as to what makes Liverpool Women's so special. I can’t cover those 100 reasons here, they are so varied and so many and I am sure there are even more.
So many of our people have made us proud with local, national and international awards. These have recognised their work in caring for patients and staff, their expertise in scientific fields and their groundbreaking research into pressing issues such as recurrent miscarriage, obesity in pregnancy and neonatal medicines and nutrition.
Our developments have made us proud too, from being able to provide chemotherapy on site for cancer patients, implementing a 24/7 Neonatal Transport Service to setting up award winning perinatal mental health support for women. Our genetic screening and new revolutionary equipment for IVF couples is helping to fulfil dreams and change lives.
We have been designated one of the country's four top hospitals for patient safety. I could go on - about our partnerships, including one with a Ugandan hospital to help less fortunate women and babies there; about our fundraisers and volunteers who support us in the most amazing way.
Then there is our investment in our future, including our Big Push phases 1 and 2 to provide top quality maternity accommodation and facilities and our Centre for Women's Health.
During 2012 I hope there will be many more reasons for staff and the people of Merseyside to be proud of Liverpool Women's, one of only two specialist hospitals in the country dedicated to the care of women and babies - there's another reason to be proud!