It is part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group.

In 1898 Liverpool Corporation acquired land from the Harbreck estate with which to build a hospital.

[3] During the First World War, the building was requisitioned by the War Office to create the 1st Western General Hospital, a facility for the Royal Army Medical Corps to treat military casualties.

[3] In July 2016 the hospital, together with the Walton Centre, became the single receiving site for major trauma patients in Merseyside.

[4] An expanded urgent care and trauma centre was officially opened by the Duke of Cambridge in September 2017.