Welcome to cardiology. Here you can find information about our services for people with heart problems. You may come across words that will be new to you. We have done our best to give explanations of these in the glossary section. Words which feature in the glossary are highlighted in blue and have a book icon next to them.
The cardiology department at the Royal Free Hospital provides a comprehensive patient-centred service with in-patient and out-patient facilities for investigation and treatment of heart problems. In addition to providing a general “secondary care” (hospital based) cardiology service for local patients, the trust also provides a range of “tertiary care” services (when a patient is referred from another hospital). These services require specialist expertise and consequently are only available in designated hospitals.
The trust is also one of two “heart attack centres” for the North Central London sector providing 24/7 emergency angioplasty treatment for patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). We also provide specialist services for primary and secondary prevention in cardiovascular risk management (care for patients at high risk of developing heart disease and treatment for patients who have established heart disease to prevent worsening of their condition); these services are nurse or physician-led.
The department consists of six consultant cardiologists supported by seven registrars (three specialist registrars) and a large multi-disciplinary team comprising nurses (general and specialist), cardiac physiologists, radiographers and administrative staff. Consultants in other specialities work in close liaison with the cardiology team.
Making an appointment
Referrals to the cardiology team can be made via a GP or hospital doctor. We regret we cannot see patients without an appointment.
Electronic referrals from a GP may be made through the 'choose and book' system. Tertiary referrals (from other hospital consultants) are also available.
| Location and contact numbers |
|---|
| All numbers should be preceded by the main switchboard number |
 | Switchboard: 020 7794 0500 |
| In-patients coronary care unit/10 West, x 34030/34029/36326 |
| In-patient referrals/consultations - on call cardiology registrar bleep 71 2027 |
| Out-patients Clinic 4, 1st floor, tower block. x 33586 |
| Non-invasive diagnostics cardiology main department, ground floor. x 33583 |
| Cardiac catheter laboratory ground floor, adjacent to special suite radiology. x 34166 |
See also: Cardiology staff »
Pulmonary hypertension»
Lipid clinics »