A public briefing on the planned incorporation of the North Middlesex Hospital into the Royal Free London group will be held in Enfield Town on 20th November. The text below is taken from a press release issued by the Royal Free.
Patients and the public are invited to an event on 20th November to find out more about the merger of North Middlesex University Hospital into the NHS trust that runs Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital.
The benefits that the hospitals anticipate from the planned merger
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) and Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) are preparing to come together as one organisation after several years of close working. By merging to form a larger group, the trusts expect to be able to go further and faster in improving services for patients and the health of the communities they serve.
Patients and the public will be able to find out more, have their questions answered and feedback on the healthcare improvements they’d like to see at an event at Dugdale Arts Centre in Enfield from 10am to 12pm on Wednesday 20 November.
Senior clinicians will outline the four initial areas where they believe merger can achieve greater benefits for patients and staff — oncology, research, colorectal surgery and surgical hubs.
There will also be an opportunity for attendees to share their thoughts on what benefits the merger should bring over the next three years.
If you would like to attend the event, please register by emailing . Spaces are limited so book early to request a place. Refreshments will be provided.
What the merger means for patients
Patients will still be referred to their usual local hospital and the hospitals in the group will continue to provide the same routine services for their local patients. At North Mid, these include A&E, maternity, intensive care, paediatrics, acute surgery, acute medicine and community services.
However, by coming together as one, the trusts expect to deliver more joined up services for patients, reduced waiting times and more support to keep people healthy. This includes providing more specialist care locally, so patients don’t have to travel, and better integration with community services so people can have their care at home instead of on a hospital ward.
The merger is planned to take place on 1 January 2025, subject to the approval of NHS England and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.