Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

14/02/2026

Measles is circulating in communities in North London, with a number of cases having been identified in recent weeks.

Measles spreads quickly and can be serious, so it’s important to make sure your child is protected.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine — given at 1 year and 3 years 4 months — provide long-lasting protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

If your child has missed a vaccination, contact your GP practice to catch up.

Adults who missed out in childhood can also have the MMR vaccine at any time.

Find out more at nhs.uk/MMR

13/02/2026

A leading cancer surgeon at the Royal Free London is stepping into the spotlight in a new Channel 5 documentary exploring the realities of life inside the operating theatre.

The Surgeon follows bowel cancer specialist Daren Francis as he navigates the high-pressure decisions, complex procedures and teamwork that define modern cancer care.

The series offers a rare insight into the skill, precision and dedication required behind the theatre doors.

With more than 20 years at the trust, Daren describes taking part as “a real thrill” and an opportunity to showcase the exceptional cancer services delivered by teams across the Royal Free London.

🎬 Watch the trailer below.
📺 The Surgeon airs at 9pm on Wednesday 18 February on Channel 5.
🔗 Read more: https://ow.ly/I1bl50Yf53a

13/02/2026

Finchley Memorial Hospital Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) secures funding to enhance patient experience.

Thanks to the feedback of more than 150 patients, the CDC has secured over £28,000 in funding.

The funding will support improvements directly shaped by patient insight, including:

✨ Replacing equipment used by patients
✨ Improving lighting in waiting areas
✨ Providing screening in clinical spaces

Liz Pickering, senior operations lead at the CDC, said:

“We are absolutely delighted with the funding award and the valuable feedback gained from patients. The study has helped us deepen our understanding of the patient experience at the CDC, highlighting areas where we can take action and improve. The funding secured will allow us to implement patient‑driven suggestions, ultimately enhancing the experience for everyone visiting the CDC.”

We would like to thank the patients who shared their experiences through the NHS Elect Experience Based Design survey — and the staff and volunteers who played a key role in encouraging participation.

🔗 Find out more about CDC services on our website:
www.royalfree.nhs.uk/services/community-diagnostic-centre

12/02/2026

You can do so much more with the NHS App than you realise.

You can quickly and easily request your repeat prescription. And if you turn on notifications, you’ll get messages and appointment reminders as soon as they’re sent.

You can also view your GP health record in record time, get your test results faster before they arrive in the post and more. All when it suits you.

Discover what you can do in the NHS App today, visit www.nhs.uk/nhsapp .

Tap the NHS App.

10/02/2026

Not sure where to go for urgent medical help?
Contact NHS 111 by phone, online or via the NHS App to get directed to the right service.

09/02/2026

✨ National HIV Testing Week | 9 to 15 February ✨

This year’s theme is “I test.”

A simple reminder that taking care of your health starts with one small step.

National HIV Testing Week, led by HIV Prevention England, aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage everyone to know their HIV status — especially those most affected, including gay, bis*xual and other men who have s*x with men, and heteros*xuals of Black African ethnicity.

Testing is quick, free and confidential.

You can:
🔗 Order a free HIV test kit delivered to your home at freetesting.hiv, or
🏥 Visit ECHO Sexual Health Clinics in Enfield (Town Clinic or White Lodge Clinic).

Our clinics offer free, confidential services for Enfield residents, including:
✅ STI testing and treatment
✅ Contraception services
✅ Information, guidance and support
✅ Vaccinations
✅ HIV PEP & PrEP

💡 Remember: Many STIs—including HIV—can have no symptoms. Testing is a simple way to protect your health and the health of your partner's.

🌐 Find out more: www.echoclinics.nhs.uk

08/02/2026

, Patients and Royal Free Hospital staff met with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, as he launched the government’s highly anticipated National Cancer Plan.

The Secretary of State shared the government’s vision on World Cancer Day at the Maggie's Centres in the grounds of the Royal Free Hospital in front of an audience of staff, patients and national media.

Speaking to Sky News he said: “I’m at the Royal Free Hospital which saved my life when I went through kidney cancer and as a cancer survivor myself I couldn’t be more proud to be launching the National Cancer Plan."

Mr Streeting, spoke to patients about their care and the support they are receiving at Maggie’s. He listened closely to Ian Gaskin, who has just finished treatment for prostate cancer, and also heard from Agnes Jervis, who last year underwent surgery for kidney cancer.

He went on to share his vision for the future of cancer care across the country, including a focus on ensuring all patients can access the same high standard of care, no matter where they live, as well as the government’s ambition for the country to become a global leader in cancer outcomes by providing more screening. He also outlined the government’s commitment to harness data, equipment and technology such as more robotic assisted surgery, AI and genomic testing to ensure people live for longer.

Over the past year the Royal Free London has seen a significant improvement in meeting cancer waiting times meaning more patients are getting diagnosed faster and benefitting from access to treatment sooner. The Royal Free Charity has played a crucial part in this progress – thanks to their donors who have funded vital kit.

The Royal Free London is also working hard to ensure more patients than ever have access to clinical trials, a key part of the government’s plan.

Read more about the launch of the National Caner Plan here 👇

06/02/2026

If you need urgent medical help but you're not sure where to go, use 111 to get assessed and directed to the right place for you.

05/02/2026

On 4 February, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care launched the National Cancer Plan at the Maggie's Centres at the Royal Free Hospital.

The new plan sets out how we will fight cancer on all fronts so that fewer people get cancer in the first place, more people become cancer-free, and everyone is supported to live well for longer.

To mark the occasion, we caught up with a couple of patients at Maggie's at the Royal Free Hospital to hear about their cancer care treatment and the support they received from both the hospital and Maggie's teams.

You can learn more about the new National Cancer Plan here ⬇️
https://gov.uk/government/publications/national-cancer-plan-for-england

05/02/2026

Keeping the whole family well during winter can feel like a lot ❄️

Did you know you can use NHS services online to manage your family’s health more easily?

With just a few taps, you can:
💊 Order repeat prescriptions
📄 View test results and medical records
📱 Access NHS services anytime, without needing to call

It’s simple, secure, and can save time — giving you one less thing to think about when life gets busy.

Find out how to use NHS services online and manage your family’s health the easy way. https://www.nhs.uk/

04/02/2026

This , we want to recognise the teams behind the progress being made across cancer services at the Royal Free London.

Over the past year, improvements in cancer performance have been driven by teams working together — from clinical services and operational colleagues to cancer leadership and improvement teams — all focused on patient timelines and experience.

As part of this work, teams have been looking closely at patient pathways, identifying where delays occur and taking action to help patients begin their treatment sooner.

Peter Landstrom, group chief executive of the Royal Free London, thanked our partners saying: "as well as delivering personalised support, groundbreaking research and access to innovative care. We want to ensure the very best experience and outcomes for all our cancer patients from the very start of their journey and beyond, now and into the future. Thanks to our amazing staff, alongside the Royal Free Charity and Maggie's at the Royal Free Hospital."

Read more about how this work has been delivered across the trust:

🔗 https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/news/team-effort-brings-huge-improvement-royal-free-londons-cancer-performance

04/02/2026