The Royal Free London has become one of only four high-performing foundation trusts to be accredited by NHS Improvement to lead groups or chains of NHS providers.

The accreditation process confirmed that the Royal Free London's current quality and financial performance along with our leadership and management capability, ensures we are starting from a sound position to deliver our plans.

The trust is currently exploring a number of options around forming a group of hospitals. We are developing proposals with North Middlesex University Hospital to determine how and when they could become a member of the group and are also in early discussions with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital about the benefits of potential future collaboration. In addition, we are already providing buddying support to West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Royal Free London believes the group model will provide significant benefits to patients by reducing variation in clinical services and lowering our costs.