The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust is proposing to develop a new hospital, replacing the Royal on its existing site.

Public consultation will be held over the next 14 weeks.

The new hospital is set to become the first in the UK to give each patient their own room in every ward.

The plan proposes 100 per cent single-room accommodation and more than 40 high-dependency beds in a central intensive care facility, where there is currently only 27.

The new hospital is part of a wider investment in a new health service for Liverpool; with up to £100m being invested by Liverpool PCT in new and improved community health facilities, more staff and an expansion of community based health care.

The plan also involves further development of Broadgreen Hospital as a centre for elective treatment, with the Royal focusing on specialist and emergency care.

The final design for the Liverpool Royal is expected to be chosen in 2011.