The Duke of Cambridge visits Liverpool

Today The Duke of Cambridge made a series of visits around Liverpool. First he opened the new Urgent Care and Trauma Centre (UCAT) at Aintree University Hospital – the new unit, which features a charity funded air ambulance helicopter landing pad, serves around 2.3 million residents its catchment area of in the North West.

The Duke met clinical staff and toured the Emergency, Major Trauma, Resuscitation and the Observation Units, before meeting some of the elderly patients at the Frailty Assessment Unit.

Afterwards The Duke met specialists who run the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust's Life Rooms in Walton – a community hub and home for the Recovery College.

Over 16,000 people have benefited from the Life Rooms, which aims to challenge the stigma around metal health and promotes positive mental health, learning and wellbeing. The Duke met some of them that were at the centre today and learnt about how they receive one to one advice sessions on finances, addiction, and employment at Life Rooms. The Duke also learnt how the centre provides a space for community groups to meet and for people to share their common experiences.

As one of the leading mental health trusts in the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is one of the leading mental health trusts in the country, and their work was highlighted to The Duke during the Heads Together campaign earlier this year.

In the last stop during his day in Liverpool, The Duke of Cambridge visited the Guinea Gap Leisure Centre to watch activities involving three related patronages of His Royal Highness – the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) and Swim England (formally Amateur Swimming Association).

After chatting to divers, children from Wallasey Swimming Club showcased Swim England's 'Learn to Swim' programme and BSAC's snorkelling and diving activities. Before leaving, there was just enough time for The Duke to catch the ESSA water polo session in action.