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North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust and Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust are looking at how they can come together as one organisation after several years of close working.
Their plans, subject to approval by both trusts’ boards and NHS England, will see North Mid become part of the Royal Free London group alongside Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital.
By merging into a larger group, the trusts expect to be able to go further and faster in improving services for patients and the health of the local community.
There are no plans to change the way routine local services are currently provided at North Mid and these will continue to include A&E, maternity, intensive care, paediatrics, acute surgery, medicine and community services.
There are also no plans to change the way routine care is currently provided at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital if North Mid joins the group.
Some of the patient benefits they hope to achieve through the merger are:
Frequently asked questions
Why are the hospital trusts planning to merge now?
The way healthcare is provided has changed significantly in recent years. Local health and care partners are increasingly working together to tackle shared challenges and to improve health and care for their local populations. North Mid has been a clinical partner with the Royal Free London group since 2017 and in a formal partnership since 2021. The trusts say their partnership has already achieved benefits for patients and staff and, as a larger group, they will be able to go further and faster in strengthening and improving all services.
What will be the financial impact?
The trusts say their plans are driven by their shared aim to provide better, more joined-up and sustainable service and are not about cutting costs. Where the merger enables more efficient use of resources, savings will be retained within the organisation and reinvested in further improved services.
Have the plans been finalised?
The trusts are currently developing a business case for their plans. This needs to be approved by both trust’s boards and NHS England before they can officially merge. If the plans are approved in summer 2024, they expect to bring their organisations together in autumn 2024.
Will there be a public consultation?
The plans do not involve any specific service change proposals that require formal consultation, but the trusts are keeping local communities informed so they can help shape the improvements the merger is expected to bring.
Where can I find out more information?
Updates can be found on the trusts’ websites:
www.royalfree.nhs.uk/northmidmerger
www.northmid.nhs.uk/our-partnership-royal-free-london
Alternatively, contact [email protected] with any questions or comments.
