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Do you want to be more connected and involved with your local hospital?
Membership is a wonderful way of strengthening your bond with the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, which covers Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital — and it’s free to join!
Why sign up?
Foundation trusts are membership organisations, and becoming a member allows you to get to know your local hospital and increase your understanding of the local health economy.
Membership means we can communicate directly with you — the people and communities we serve.
You’ll be kept up to date with the latest developments and news from the three hospitals we cover and our satellite sites, and be invited to events aimed at informing and engaging you.
You may also be asked to give feedback on your experience at the Royal Free London
Who can join?
You can become a member of the Royal Free London if you live in England, are aged 16 or over, or are a carer for a patient who is aged under 16.
By becoming a member, you will:
- receive monthly membership updates, including our Freepress newsletter
- be invited to medicine for members’ events
- be invited to the annual members' meeting
- elect a council of governors to represent your interests
- be able to stand for election as a governor of our trust
You can be involved as much or as little as you like — it’s up to you!
Staff membership
If you’re a permanent or contracted member of staff, you automatically become a member of the trust, which means you do not have to complete the online form.
But you will need to sign up online if you’re working on the bank or are a volunteer at any of our hospitals or other sites.
We regularly hold free events for members open to patients, staff and the public.
If you’re not a member and would like to come along, you’re more than welcome.
Our Annual Members' Meetings are led by our governors. These are an opportunity to reflect on the last year and for attendees to receive updates on our trust's operational and financial performance.
Hosted by our governors, Medicine for Members' events showcase topics which are important to staff, patients, and the local community. All Medicine for Members’ events take place online on Microsoft Teams and in person at one of our hospitals.
Medicine for Members’ events
| Lecture title | Chair and speaker | Location | Date and Time | Film and feedback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saving lives: liver transplantation at the Royal Free London | Chair: Sneha Bedi | Online | Event has passed | Watch the film |
| Heart failure: a serious but treatable and reversable condition | Chair: Alison Moore Speakers: Dr Tim Lockie, Dr Carol Whelan, Dr Ameet Bakhai |
Online | Event has passed | Watch the film |
| Developing a deeper understanding of type 1 diabetes: now and for future generations |
Chair: Jay Mehta Speakers: Dr Miranda Rosenthal, Professor Lucy Walker and Professor Parth Narendran |
Online | Event has passed | Watch the film |
To register your interest at our next event, please email rf.
Staff were praised for their phenomenal efforts at the annual members’ meeting held in November 2022.
Our staff were celebrated for their continued hard work and dedication during what’s been another remarkable year.
Lead governor Sneha Bedi welcomed members and staff to the event, which gave them a chance to hear from key speakers about our achievements over the past year and the challenges ahead.
Sneha said: “The council of governors adds huge value to the Royal Free London.
“We are elected to represent the interests of our membership, to hold the non-executive directors to account, and to support the board of directors who are ultimately responsible for our performance."
“Over the last 12 months the council has continued to carry out its statutory duties, such as engaging with our members and providing feedback to the board."
“Our highlights included approving the appointment of three non-executive directors, reviewing and approving the quality accounts and continuing our programme of Medicine for Members’ events.”
Mark Lam, our group chair, and Caroline Clarke, our group chief executive, celebrated staff for the dedication and commitment they’ve shown in getting our services back on track after the biggest healthcare crisis in living memory. They also thanked attendees for their continued support.
Addressing attendees during the meeting, which was held online, Mark said: “I’m very proud and privileged to be the chair of this wonderful organisation.
“In the last 12 months, along with the rest of the NHS, our focus has been on getting our services back on track and providing the very best possible service for our patients.
"This has been a real challenge, especially after the exhausting couple of years our staff have had."
“But their response — and the response of the entire NHS — over the last year has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
While reflecting on the extraordinary amount of work being carried out at the trust, Caroline added: “The Royal Free London is the most fantastic place to work. We are nothing without our staff and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to every single person that works at the Royal Free London.”
Professor Tim Meyer, director of the National Institute for Health Research Royal Free Clinical Research Facility at the Royal Free Hospital, spoke about how this facility could transform thousands of lives
Tribute was paid to the Royal Free Charity for its support throughout the year — its Breaking Point appeal raised £750,000 to support COVID-19 recovery and staff health and wellbeing.
It’s launched its new fundraising winter appeal, Bring the Future Forward, which will support patients with cancer.
We encourage you to visit its website to find out more and get involved by becoming a champion.
Read our annual report and accounts 2021/22, and watch a recording of the meeting below:
