North London hospitals join forces in a bid to reshape patient pathways and improve access

Following several years of working together, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) and its community services became part of The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (RFL) in January, alongside Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital.

The merger aims to provide services better designed to meet local needs, cutting waiting times, bringing specialist care closer to home and connecting hospital and community services. Patients will still be referred to their usual local hospital or community service, which will continue to provide the same routine services for their populations. At North Mid, these include A&E, maternity, intensive care, paediatrics, acute surgery, acute medicine and community services.

RFL group chair Mark Lam said: “This is a truly momentous day for RFL and North Mid, as we bring together the best of the NHS to deliver fantastic healthcare. We will have the opportunity to transform healthcare for a generation in north London, reshaping major patient pathways and improving access.”

North Mid chief executive Dr Nnenna Osuji added: “I am grateful to everybody who has contributed to us reaching this significant milestone, in particular the teams across both organisations who have worked together so effectively. I look forward to North Mid continuing to deliver outstanding care for local people, anchored in the heart of the communities we serve.”

Clinicians across the expanded RFL group identified oncology, colorectal surgery, research and development, and surgical hubs as the four priority services expected to benefit most from the merger. In oncology, RFL hopes to further establish itself as a leading centre for the treatment of cancer, focusing resources where they are most needed in order to reduce waiting times and provide access to the most advanced and effective cancer care closer to home, while in colorectal surgery the latest robotic technology is aimed at delivering round-the-clock specialist care closer to home.

Picture: RFL chief executive Peter Landstrom with RFL chair Mark Lam.

Read this report on page 20 of the March 2025 issue of RAD Magazine.