The Care Quality Commission (CQC) ruled the hospital’s end-of-life care as ‘outstanding’ however the report also warned of “significant overcrowding” in the A & E department.
Broadgreen Hospital, for sale the Royal’s sister site, was also given an overall rating of ‘good’.
Ellen Armistead, stomach the CQC’s deputy chief inspector of hospitals in the north, said: “We found the care and treatment provided to patients was of a good standard across almost all services.
“At the time of the inspection, the trust was working under significant pressure and was striving to sustain the level of care while looking at new ways of working.”
Both hospitals were clean and well-maintained with good infection control procedures.
Ms Armistead added: “Care and treatment was delivered by caring, committed and compassionate staff.
“In palliative and end-of-life care services, inspectors were told numerous stories that demonstrated the compassion, kindness and thoughtfulness of the staff delivering care and treatment.”
“However, there were pressures in relation to access and flow, predominantly at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
“Bed occupancy rates and delayed transfers of care and discharges had an impact on the flow of patients throughout the hospital.
“There were many patients who were medically fit but were unable to leave.”
Aidan Kehoe, chief executive of the trust that runs the Royal and Broadgreen, said: “The rating is a fitting testament to the vision, hard work, professionalism and compassion of all our staff and volunteers working across the hospital and reflects the long-term commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare.
“Whilst the report highlighted many positives it is important to address areas we can improve.
“Our bed occupancy rates trust-wide, delayed transfers of care and discharges continue to have an impact on the flow of patients throughout the hospital – this is something we are working closely with health and social care colleagues to improve, ahead of our move to the new Royal.”