Originally special diseases of women were treated at the Liverpool Lying-In Hospital but concerns about the infection of maternity patients by operative cases brought this to an end in 1879. By January 1883 a Committee had begun raising funds in aid of a Special Hospital for Women.

 

By May 1883 over £5000 pounds had been raised and good premises found at 107 and 109 Shaw Street. The Special Hospital for Women in Shaw Street was opened on 10 August 1883 by the Countess of Sefton.

 

On 14 October 1926 the foundation stone of a new hospital building in Catharine Street was laid by the Lady Mayoress of Liverpool.

 

The new building was to house the amalgamation of the Women's Hospital, Shaw Street with the Samaritan Hospital for Women, Upper Parliament Street.

 

The latter hospital had been opened in 1895 in Upper Warwick Street and had operated at various addresses until 1900 when it settled at premises in Upper Parliament Street.

 

In the early 1920's plans to merge the two hospitals were at an advanced stage.

 

The new Women's Hospital in Catharine Street, at first known as the Liverpool and Samaritan Hospital for Women, was opened on 21 June 1932 by the Duchess of York.