This week the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust took ownership of the new Chase Farm Hospital from the constructors Integrated Health Projects (IHP).

The move marks a landmark moment in the redevelopment of the new hospital with the final preparations now taking place ahead of the first patients being treated from the middle of August.

The redevelopment of Chase Farm Hospital has been achieved at an unprecedented speed for a project of its size and complexity in the NHS. From a standing start, the scheme has taken just four years from the acquisition of the Chase Farm site by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust to completion in July 2018.

The new hospital will be at the forefront of pioneering new ways of working to deliver better, safer and more efficient care to patients through new and innovative technology. From self-check in kiosks to technology that will streamline patients’ visits to the hospital, these new innovations will place the new hospital as the most digitally advanced in the NHS.

At the formal handover Natalie Forrest, chief executive of Chase Farm Hospital, inspected the new building and thanked those who had been involved in the hospital’s construction. The constructors IHP are a joint venture between VINCI Construction UK and Sir Robert McAlpine.

Work is now taking place around the clock to take deliveries of all the equipment that will be needed – from syringes and gauzes to the latest medical devices that will be ready to connect to new electronic patient records.

These preparations will continue for the next few weeks before the first departments and clinics are scheduled to open from the middle of August. The new hospital is due to be fully open from the middle of September.

To support patients visiting the hospital during this time, volunteers will be on site to guide them to their clinics.

Natalie said: “We can’t wait for our patients and staff to start using the new hospital; it will be completely different to anything they have experienced before. I want to thank the patients, local residents and our staff for their patience and cooperation during the redevelopment, the new hospital wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

We can’t wait for our patients and staff to start using the new hospital; it will be completely different to anything they have experienced before. I want to thank the patients, local residents and our staff for their patience and cooperation during the redevelopment, the new hospital wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Natalie Forrest

Work will continue into next year to develop the surrounding area to include family homes, apartments, a new school and a new road that will bring patients to the front of the hospital.