The boss of Liverpool Women's Hospital said last year's terrorist bombing "connected the hospital even more to the community it serves".
Emad Al Swealmeen detonated a bomb outside the hospital after pulling up in a Delta taxi in which he was a passenger on Remembrance Sunday last year. Al Swealmeen died when his homemade explosive containing 1,000 ball bearings went off in the back of the car, shattering the windscreen.
The taxi driver, David Perry, made a miraculous escape as the bomb detonated on November 14, 2021. The UK terror threat level was raised to "severe" after the bomb blast, while the hospital trust remained at the centre of a major incident for the following 10 days.
READ MORE: Spotlight: The bomb blast that shook Liverpool and the terror probe that followed
Rutland Avenue, a sleepy south Liverpool street, later became the scene of an intense lockdown as counter terrorism police searched a property linked with Al Swealmeen. The bomb attack has had a lasting effect on Liverpool and its people, none more so than the staff and patients who were at the hospital on that day.
Kathryn Thomson, CEO of Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Although a year has passed the events of that Sunday in November have left their mark on the Trust and things will never quite be the same." Ms Thomson added: "It is timely to reflect on that day and how we worked together as staff, patients, visitors, NHS partners and the local community, to keep each other safe."
More than 8,000 babies are born each year at Liverpool Women's, with the hospital playing an important role in the lives of so many in the region. Ms Thomson said: "[The hospital] holds a special place in the heart of the city we serve. The incident was extremely traumatic and upsetting for everyone in the city, not least our staff, our patients, their families and our local community.
"Whilst we can be grateful that the absolute worst did not happen, there is no escaping the fact that there was the intent to cause significant harm to NHS staff, pregnant women, newborn babies, their families and other people who were in our care. The scars on our buildings have diminished but some of the deeper scars of that terrible intent remain.
"Imagine being the woman in labour when the bomb exploded right outside your window; or the midwife or other clinician having to carry on looking after people on that day despite your fear about what may happen next; imagine being a partner on your way to visit the hospital to see your newborn baby on your happiest of days; or being in main reception when the bomb went off and glass and smoke blew in."
Ms Thomson praised the actions of the hospital's "outstanding" staff, adding they "ran towards danger not away from it". The CEO also acknowledged how the city rose up to support the hospital at its time of need.
She said: " Liverpool is a city with a huge heart which it wears proudly on its sleeve. Liverpool Women’s holds a special place in that heart. There was significant anger in the city when we were targeted. We were immediately sighted on the need to ensure that the attack did not trigger community tensions and a cohesive stance was taken by the Trust, the police and local community and religious leaders to demonstrate that we stood shoulder to shoulder and would not tolerate the incident being used to discriminate, blame or isolate anyone within our hospital or our community.
"If there is a positive to take from such an event, it is that the incident has connected the hospital even more to the community it serves. Fortunately, events like these are rare and Liverpool Women’s feels like a safe place again but everyone connected to the Trust will never forget the events of that day."
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