Thank you

On behalf of our staff and patients, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support you have given to the RFL over the past year.

It has been a year of challenges for the RFL and the whole NHS – there has been a huge demand for our services; industrial action has continued to have an impact, and our emergency departments and urgent treatment centres have been extremely busy.

Next year promises to be an important one for the RFL with our anticipated merger with North Middlesex University Hospital. See below for how you can get involved.

We are hugely grateful for your ongoing support – we would not have been able to ensure the very best care for our patients without you.

This is the last newsletter of the year; the next update will be shared in January. However, you may receive separate messages before this.

We wish you a safe and happy festive season.

How to contact the GP liaison service

The Royal Free London (RFL) GP liaison service is open for you as an informal route to raise an enquiry or concern about any of our services. This includes services at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, or any of our satellite sites. It is a non-urgent and non-clinical service.

When contacting the service, please include the following information:

  • patient’s details (name, date of birth and NHS number)
  • department the enquiry relates to
  • hospital the enquiry relates to

We will not be able to investigate your enquiry without the above information. We endeavour to respond within 10 working days from the date the above information is provided.

You can contact the GP liaison service by email: rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net or by calling: 020 3758 2000 ext. 36015.

The GP liaison service is only open to NHS colleagues and other healthcare professionals. Please do not share these contact details with your patients.

Patient referral and appointment queries

Patients should contact our outpatient appointments call centre if they have any questions about their care. This includes information about referrals, appointments, and test results.

If the team is unable to answer a patient’s question, they will forward the call to the relevant service.

The call centre can be contacted by calling: 020 7443 9757. It is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am to 5pm.

Information about outpatient appointments

View indicative waiting times

Indicative waiting times for routine first appointments, cancer two-week waits, and diagnostics across north central London are available on the North Central London GP website.

Indicative waiting times

Find out more about the North Middlesex University Hospital and Royal Free London merger

Primary care colleagues are invited to an online information event to find out more about the merger of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) into the RFL group.

Join RFL chief medical officer Gillian Smith, North Mid medical director Vicky Jones, chief medical officer of North Central London Integrated Care Board Jo Sauvage, and RFL director of population health Judith Stanton, to hear about the clinical strategy for the merged organisation and what it means for your patients.

The virtual meeting will take place on Thursday 12 December, 1.10-1.50pm. Please register to receive the event invitation.

By merging to form a larger group, North Mid and RFL expect to be able to go further and faster in improving services for patients and the health of the communities they serve. The merger is planned to take place on 1 January 2025, subject to the approval of NHS England and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. 

Find out more about the RFL and North Mid merger

Changes to colorectal cancer referrals

The Royal Free London has introduced a new single point of access service for suspected colorectal cancer referrals.

GPs are asked to refer patients via e-RS to 2ww colorectal straight-to-test (STT) – telephone assessment only – Royal Free/Barnet Hospital – RAL.

Please search for the Royal Free London or Royal Free Hospital in the directory of services. Please note, that you will not find the correct service when you search by a postcode. 

The referral criteria and clinical guidelines for suspected colorectal cancer have not changed.

Patients will continue to be referred to their local hospitals for routine appointments and tests.

Information about our general surgery services

Reminder: labelling samples

The Health Services Laboratories is receiving an increased number of samples with the wrong labels attached.

Please ensure the correct labels are placed on sample bottles with the patients’ details clearly written to avoid delays.

Please follow this labelling practice guidance.

For more information, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Reminder: pathology turnaround times and helpdesk contact details

Primary care colleagues can expect to receive pathology results within the following timeframes. These start when a sample is received in our laboratories, or the test has been completed. They are subject to change.

All RFL sites

  • Biochemistry tests: three days
  • Haematology tests: two days

If you have any questions about your patient's results, please contact the pathology results helpline:

The results helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For tQuest support enquiries, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com

If you would like to receive these updates directly, please contact rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net with your name, role and practice name. Alternatively, if you do not wish to receive further updates, please do the same stating this.

How to contact the GP liaison service

The Royal Free London (RFL) GP liaison service is open for you as an informal route to raise an enquiry or concern about any of our services. This includes services at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, or any of our satellite sites. It is a non-urgent and non-clinical service.

When contacting the service, please include the following information:

  • patient’s details (name, date of birth and NHS number)
  • department the enquiry relates to
  • hospital the enquiry relates to

We will not be able to investigate your enquiry without the above information. We endeavour to respond within 10 working days from the date the above information is provided.

You can contact the GP liaison service by email: rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net or by calling: 020 3758 2000 ext. 36015.

The GP liaison service is only open to NHS colleagues and other healthcare professionals. Please do not share these contact details with your patients.

Patient referral and appointment queries

Patients should contact our outpatient appointments call centre if they have any questions about their care. This includes information about referrals, appointments, and test results.

If the team is unable to answer a patient’s question, they will forward the call to the relevant service.

The call centre can be contacted by calling: 020 7443 9757. It is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am to 5pm.

Information about outpatient appointments

View indicative waiting times

Indicative waiting times for routine first appointments, cancer two-week waits, and diagnostics across north central London are available on the North Central London GP website.

Indicative waiting times

Refer your patients to our skin cancer teledermatology service

The RFL is piloting a teledermatology service for suspected skin cancer referrals.

This involves a medical photographer taking high quality images of the areas of concern.

These are reviewed by a specialist skin cancer clinician within 72 hours and enables patients to be seen and diagnosed as quickly as possible.

GPs are asked to refer patients for teledermatology if they meet the criteria below:

  • One or two lesions maximum (not in intimate areas). 
  • No risk factors or history of skin cancer. 
  • No performance status or access needs.

GPs should indicate patients’ suitability for this service in this referral form.

For further information, please contact Tom Banks, project manager, RFL: t.banks@nhs.net.

Find out more about the North Middlesex University Hospital and Royal Free London merger

Primary care colleagues are invited to an online information event to find out more about the merger of North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) into the RFL group.

Join RFL chief medical officer Gillian Smith, North Mid medical director Vicky Jones, chief medical officer of North Central London Integrated Care Board Jo Sauvage, and RFL director of population health Judith Stanton, to hear about the clinical strategy for the merged organisation and what it means for your patients.

The virtual meeting will take place on Thursday 12 December, 1.10-1.50pm. Please register to receive the event invitation.

By merging to form a larger group, North Mid and RFL expect to be able to go further and faster in improving services for patients and the health of the communities they serve. The merger is planned to take place on 1 January 2025, subject to the approval of NHS England and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Find out more about the RFL and North Mid merger

Leadership news

David Crampsey has joined the RFL as the new chief executive of the Royal Free Hospital.

David has joined us from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust where he was deputy chief executive and medical director. He previously held the positions of deputy medical director and divisional director for surgery and diagnostics at Airedale.

RFL leadership news

Reminder: pathology turnaround times and helpdesk contact details

Primary care colleagues can expect to receive pathology results within the following timeframes. These start when a sample is received in our laboratories, or the test has been completed. They are subject to change.

All RFL sites

  • Biochemistry tests: three days
  • Haematology tests: two days

If you have any questions about your patient's results, please contact the pathology results helpline:

The results helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For tQuest support enquiries, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

If you would like to receive these updates directly, please contact rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net with your name, role and practice name. Alternatively, If you do not wish to receive further updates, please do the same stating this.

How to contact the GP liaison service

The Royal Free London (RFL) GP liaison service is open for you as an informal route to raise an enquiry or concern about any of our services. This includes services at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, or any of our satellite sites. It is a non-urgent and non-clinical service.

When contacting the service, please include the following information:

  • patient’s details (name, date of birth and NHS number)
  • department the enquiry relates to
  • hospital the enquiry relates to

We will not be able to investigate your enquiry without the above information. We endeavour to respond within 10 working days from the date the above information is provided.

You can contact the GP liaison service by email: rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net or by calling: 020 3758 2000 ext. 36015.

The GP liaison service is only open to NHS colleagues and other healthcare professionals. Please do not share these contact details with your patients.

Patient referral and appointment queries

Patients should contact our outpatient appointments call centre if they have any questions about their care. This includes information about referrals, appointments, and test results.

If the team is unable to answer a patient’s question, they will forward the call to the relevant service.

The call centre can be contacted by calling: 020 7443 9757. It is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am to 5pm.

Information about outpatient appointments

View indicative waiting times

Indicative waiting times for routine first appointments, cancer two-week waits, and diagnostics across north central London are available on the North Central London GP website.

Indicative waiting times

Guidance: urgent adult blood test referrals

The process for referring your patient for an urgent adult blood test at Barnet Hospital, Edgware Community Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital has not changed.

Patients should visit our blood testing departments with a hard copy of their blood test form. Please ensure that you have typed ‘urgent’ on this.

Urgent adult blood tests do not need to be pre-booked, and patients can walk-in. Handwritten forms will not be accepted.

Royal Free London and North Middlesex University Hospital merger

Following approval from both trusts’ boards, the full business case for the merger of RFL and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) is currently being reviewed by NHS England and will then go to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Subject to this standard approval process, we expect to bring our organisations together around the end of the year, with a planned formal merger date of 1 January 2025.

We believe that the merger will enable us to go further and faster in improving services for patients, the health of the local community and opportunities for staff to develop their careers. We have identified the first four clinical areas that we will prioritise for early integration. These are areas where, as a group, we will be able to accelerate the delivery of the benefits for patients, staff and our communities: oncology; colorectal, research and development and surgical hubs.

 Patients will still be referred to their usual local hospital and our hospitals will continue to provide the same routine services for their local patients. At North Mid, these include A&E, maternity, intensive care, paediatrics, acute surgery, acute medicine, and community services.

Find out more about the RFL and North Mid merger

Changes to reporting biochemistry test results: Barnet Hospital

We have made some changes to how biochemistry tests are reported from our laboratory at Barnet Hospital. 

The reference ranges for some biochemistry tests have been updated. Please read this document from Health Services Laboratories which lists the tests that are affected. 

It is essential that all GPs review these new reference ranges when they receive a patients' results to ensure that they are interpreted correctly. Please note that paediatric acute kidney injury reporting has been updated in line with the British Association for Paediatric Nephrology's guidance.

These changes were introduced in our Barnet Hospital laboratory on Tuesday 1 October. We will be making similar changes at the Royal Free Hospital laboratory soon and will keep you updated.

We have also introduced a new laboratory information system at the RFL. There should be no changes to how GPs request and review results, however, if you experience any problems, please let us know by contacting rf-tr.pathologyadminsupport@nhs.net.

For further information, please contact Dr Puja Ayrton, clinical lead for biochemistry at Barnet Hospital: p.ayrton@nhs.net or Dr Mfon Ewang, clinical lead for biochemistry at the Royal Free Hospital: mfon.ewang@nhs.net.

New chief executive starts at Chase Farm Hospital 

Palmer Winstanley has joined the RFL as the new chief executive of Chase Farm Hospital and group clinical services. He has been the acting chief executive at Northampton General Hospital for the past year.

Previous to this, Palmer worked at King’s College Hospital before moving to Northampton General Hospital as the chief operating officer and deputy chief executive.

Reminder: pathology turnaround times and helpdesk contact details

Primary care colleagues can expect to receive pathology results within the following timeframes. These start when a sample is received in our laboratories, or the test has been completed. They are subject to change.

All RFL sites

  • Biochemistry tests: three days
  • Haematology tests: two days

If you have any questions about your patient's results, please contact the pathology results helpline:

The results helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For tQuest support enquiries, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

If you would like to receive these updates directly, please contact rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net with your name, role and practice name. Alternatively, If you do not wish to receive further updates, please do the same stating this.

How to contact the GP liaison service

The Royal Free London (RFL) GP liaison service is open for you as an informal route to raise an enquiry or concern about any of our services. This includes services at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, or any of our satellite sites. It is a non-urgent and non-clinical service.

When contacting the service, please include the following information:

  • patient’s details (name, date of birth and NHS number)
  • department the enquiry relates to
  • hospital the enquiry relates to

We will not be able to investigate your enquiry without the above information. We endeavour to respond to your enquiry within 10 working days from the date the above information is provided.

You can contact the GP liaison service by email: rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net or by calling 020 3758 2000 ext. 36015.

The GP liaison service is only open to NHS colleagues and other healthcare professionals. Please do not share these contact details with your patients.

Patient referral and appointment queries

Patients should contact our outpatient appointments call centre if they have any questions about their care. This includes information about referrals, appointments, and test results.

If the team is unable to answer a patient’s question, they will forward the call to the relevant service.

The call centre can be contacted by calling: 020 7443 9757. It is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am-5pm.

Information about outpatient appointments.

View indicative waiting times

Indicative waiting times for routine first appointments, cancer two week waits, and diagnostics across north central London are available on the North Central London GP website.

Visit the North Central London GP website here.

Reminder: new baby tongue-tie clinic referral form

When referring babies with suspected tongue-tie to the Royal Free Hospital, please complete this new referral form. If the correct form is not used, our service will not be able to accept the referral. Please complete the referral form and send it to: rf-tr.tonguetie@nhs.net.

Royal Free London and North Middlesex University Hospital trust boards approve business case for merger

The RFL and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) trust boards have approved the full business case for the coming together of our organisations.

Our plans for North Mid merging into the RFL group, alongside Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, and the Royal Free Hospital, will now be looked at by NHS England in the autumn and following its approval, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with the aim of bringing our organisations together around the end of the year.

Hundreds of colleagues across both trusts have been involved in developing our plans for merger. We have also spoken with over 100 stakeholders and engaged with our patients and communities, and will continue to do so, to keep them informed and to respond to their comments and questions. We would like to thank them all for their valuable input.

Our work has reaffirmed our belief that we can go further and faster in improving services for patients, the health of our communities and opportunities for our staff as a single organisation than as two separate trusts.

Patients will still be referred to their usual local hospital and our hospitals will continue to provide the same routine services for their local patients. At North Mid, these include A&E, maternity, intensive care, paediatrics, acute surgery, acute medicine, and community services.

Find out more about the RFL and North Mid merger.

Reminder: pathology turnaround times and helpdesk contact details

Primary care colleagues can expect to receive pathology results within the following timeframes. These start when a sample is received in our laboratories, or the test has been completed. They are subject to change.

All RFL sites

  • Biochemistry tests: three days
  • Haematology tests: two days

If you have any questions about your patient's results, please contact the pathology results helpline:

The results helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For tQuest support enquiries, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

If you would like to receive these updates directly, please contact rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net with your name, role and practice name. Alternatively, If you do not wish to receive further updates, please do the same stating this.

GP liaison service

The Royal Free London (RFL) GP liaison service is open for you as an informal route to raise an enquiry or concern about any of our services. This includes services at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, or any of our satellite sites. It is a non-urgent and non-clinical service.

When contacting the service, please include the following information:

  • patient’s details (name, date of birth and NHS number)
  • department the enquiry relates to
  • hospital the enquiry relates to

We will not be able to investigate your enquiry without the above information. We endeavour to respond within 10 working days from the date the above information is provided.

You can contact the GP liaison service by email: rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net or by calling: 020 3758 2000 ext. 36015.

The GP liaison service is only open to NHS colleagues and other healthcare professionals. Please do not share these contact details with your patients.

Patient referral and appointment queries

Patients should contact our outpatient appointments call centre if they have any questions about their care. This includes information about referrals, appointments, and test results.

If the team is unable to answer a patient’s question, they will forward the call to the relevant service.

The call centre can be contacted by calling: 020 7443 9757. It is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am to 5pm.

Information about outpatient appointments

View indicative waiting times

Indicative waiting times for routine first appointments, cancer two-week waits, and diagnostics across north central London are available on the North Central London GP website.

Indicative waiting times

Leadership news

David Crampsey has been appointed as the Royal Free Hospital's chief executive and will take up the role from 30 October. 

David, a trained ear, nose and throat surgeon and consultant otolaryngologist, joins us from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust where he has been deputy chief executive and medical director since 2020, having previously held the positions of deputy medical director and divisional director for surgery and diagnostics at Airedale from February 2018.

Palmer Winstanley has been appointed as chief executive of Chase Farm Hospital and group clinical services and joins the RFL on 1 October. He has been the acting chief executive at Northampton General Hospital for the past year.

RFL leadership news

Royal Free London and North Middlesex University Hospital trust boards approve business case for merger

The RFL and North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust (North Mid) trust boards have approved the full business case for the coming together of our organisations.

Our plans for North Mid merging into the RFL group, alongside Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, and the Royal Free Hospital, will now be looked at by NHS England in the autumn and following its approval, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with the aim of bringing our organisations together around the end of the year.

Hundreds of colleagues across both trusts have been involved in developing our plans for merger. We have also spoken with over 100 stakeholders and engaged with our patients and communities, and will continue to do so, to keep them informed and to respond to their comments and questions. We would like to thank them all for their valuable input.

Our work has reaffirmed our belief that we can go further and faster in improving services for patients, the health of our communities and opportunities for our staff as a single organisation than as two separate trusts.

Patients will still be referred to their usual local hospital and our hospitals will continue to provide the same routine services for their local patients. At North Mid, these include A&E, maternity, intensive care, paediatrics, acute surgery, acute medicine, and community services.

 Find out more about RFL and North Mid merger

Encourage trans and non-binary patients to attend breast screening

Our breast screening services are encouraging transgender and non-binary individuals aged 50 to 71 to attend breast screening every three years.

GP are asked to advise transmen and non-binary people assigned female at birth who have not had chest reconstruction, and transwomen and non-binary people assigned male at birth (AMAB) who are on long-term hormone therapy, to have breast screening.

Transmen and non-binary people assigned female at birth who have not had chest reconstruction should be offered a referral to breast screening. Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth who are on long-term hormone therapy are also advised to consider being screened for breast cancer. 

Please note that people who are registered as female will receive routine invitations for breast screening from age 50 to 71.

People registered as male will not be invited to breast screening and GPs are advised to arrange a referral for a mammogram at a local breast service.

If you have any queries, please contact the London breast screening administration hub on rf-tr.londonbreastscreeninghub@nhs.net or 020 3758 2024.

Breast screening information for trans and non-binary people

Reminder: ordering pathology tests

All pathology tests must be requested electronically via tQuest. Handwritten requests will not be accepted.

GPs are asked to create a new order for every test requested through tQuest as this will ensure tests are processed without delay.

If you have any queries, please contact the Health Service Laboratories helpdesk: helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Changes to Barnet Hospital radiology referrals

In April, we informed you that we would be changing how you request radiology tests for your patients at Barnet Hospital. 

All practices who had access to the Barnet Hospital radiology tQuest system were transitioned onto the North Central London (NCL) tQuest System in April to order radiology tests.

The Barnet Hospital tQuest system will close tomorrow, 9 August at 5pm. 

Please ensure that you are using the NCL tQuest system to order all radiology tests. This is the same system used for requesting pathology tests.

For more information, please contact Pav Asghar, radiology operations manager: pav.asghar@nhs.net.

New gynaecological services available at Hadley Wood Hospital

Hadley Wood Hospital is offering two new gynaecological services for patients who have uterine fibroids and cervical abnormalities.

The services available are sonata treatment and colposcopy.

Please share this information with patients who might be interested.

If you would like further details, please contact Joseph Mekkattukulam, sales and engagement manager: rf-tr.ppugpconsultantliaisonoffice@nhs.net.

Hadley Wood Hospital services and treatments

Guidance: labelling samples

The Health Services Laboratories has been receiving an increased number of samples with the wrong labels attached.

Please ensure the correct labels are placed on sample bottles with the patients’ details clearly written.

Please follow this labelling practice guidance.

For more information, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com. The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Reminder: pathology turnaround times and helpdesk contact details

Primary care colleagues can expect to receive pathology results within the following timeframes. These start when a sample is received in our laboratories, or the test has been completed. They are subject to change.

All RFL sites

  • Biochemistry tests: three days
  • Haematology tests: two days

If you have any questions about your patient's results, please contact the pathology results helpline:

The results helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For tQuest support enquiries, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

If you would like to receive these updates directly, please contact rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net with your name, role and practice name. Alternatively, If you do not wish to receive further updates, please do the same stating this.

GP liaison service

The Royal Free London (RFL) GP liaison service is open for you as an informal route to raise an enquiry or concern about any of our services. This includes services at Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, or any of our satellite sites. It is a non-urgent and non-clinical service.

When contacting the service, please include the following information:

  • patient’s details (name, date of birth and NHS number)
  • department the enquiry relates to
  • hospital the enquiry relates to

We will not be able to investigate your enquiry without the above information. We endeavour to respond to your enquiry within 10 working days from the date the above information is provided.

You can contact the GP liaison service by email: rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net or by calling 020 3758 2000 ext. 36015.

The GP liaison service is only open to NHS colleagues and other healthcare professionals. Please do not share these contact details with your patients.

Patient referral and appointment queries

Patients should contact our outpatient appointments call centre if they have any questions about their care. This includes information about referrals, appointments, and test results.

If the team is unable to answer a patient’s question, they will forward the call to the relevant service.

The call centre can be contacted by calling: 020 7443 9757. It is open Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 8am-5pm.

Full details can be found on our website.

View indicative waiting times

Indicative waiting times for routine first appointments, cancer two week waits, and diagnostics across north central London are available on the North Central London GP website.

Visit the North Central London GP website here.

North Mid and Royal Free London merger plans

We are currently developing our detailed business case for how North Mid could merge into the RFL Group. Our plans would see us continue to provide the same local services at our hospitals and in the community, while working together to ensure that all our patients receive high standards of care, no matter where they live. However, by merging, we expect to deliver more joined up services for patients, reduced waiting times, and greater support to keep people healthy, along with more education and development opportunities for our staff.

We are developing detailed cases for how a merger would benefit patients, particularly in the areas of cancer care, planned surgery and research. We have been engaging with our staff about what a merger means for them and are delivering a programme of community engagement to keep patients and local people informed so that we can respond to any questions or comments.

We expect the business case will go to both trust boards for approval over the summer and to NHS England for approval in the autumn, after which we would plan to bring our organisations together around the end of the year.

Read more here.

New immunology testing system introduced 

The RFL has implemented a new system, Helix, for immunology testing.

There are no changes to how GPs view and receive immunology reports. 

All results will continue to be delivered via the Health Services Laboratories keystone link and GPs are asked to send any queries to helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

The results helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays).

Skin cancer services: update

Please find below an update on our skin cancer services:

Suspected skin cancer referrals

Suspected skin cancer referrals to the RFL are increasing.

Please can all GPs ensure that they are following the National Institute for Health and Care’s guidance for suspected cancer before making a referral.

If you have any uncertainties about your patient’s condition, please follow the routine teledermatology pathway or access consultant connect before making a referral.

New referral pathway for suspected skin cancer coming soon

We are piloting a new teledermatology service for suspected skin cancer where a medical photographer takes high quality images of the areas of concern.

These are reviewed by a specialist skin cancer clinician within 72 hours and means that we can see more patients.  

This referral pathway will be available to GPs later this year. We will keep you updated via this update.

For further information about the new pathway, please contact Tom Banks, project manager, RFL: t.banks@nhs.net or Andy Murphy, senior project manager, North Central London Cancer Alliance: a.murphy18@nhs.net.

Whooping cough testing        

Testing for whooping cough is available at the RFL.

Please note only dry swabs are accepted and results will be available within two to three days.

GPs are asked to follow this guidance when a patient presents with whooping cough symptoms.

For more information, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com or visit 

The helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.   

Read more here.    

Introducing our new clinical vision

We have launched our five-year clinical vision for how we will bring world class expertise and local care together across the RFL.

This will support our staff to deliver the very best healthcare for all of our patients. It will help us to meet growing demand for our services and create a healthier future for local people and those further afield who come to our hospitals for specialist treatment.

We are introducing new clinical priorities for our hospitals which reflect the needs of the patients we care for. These are:

  • supporting the needs of an ageing population and transforming same day and integrated care: Barnet Hospital
  • developing different types of surgery and focusing on early diagnosis and prevention through our group clinical services: Chase Farm Hospital
  • establishing a national centre of academic and clinical excellence for rare diseases, and working with our partners to reduce chronic diseases and improve patient outcomes: Royal Free Hospital

We have also identified three group-wide clinical priorities: cancer, cardiovascular and organ failure, and transplantation.

Read more here.

New gynaecological services available at Hadley Wood Hospital

Hadley Wood Hospital is offering two new gynaecological procedures for patients who have uterine fibroids and cervical abnormalities. 

The treatments available are sonata and colposcopy. 

Please share this information with patients who might be interested. 

If you would like further details, please contact Joseph Mekkatukulam, sales and engagement manager: rf-tr.ppugpconsultantliaisonoffice@nhs.net. 

Read more here.

Changes to pregnancy testing

Health Services Laboratories will be withdrawing pregnancy testing from the RFL test catalogue on Monday 8 July. You will not be able to order this via tQuest.

If possible, GPs are asked to test at their practices. Alternatively, patients can buy pregnancy tests from local pharmacies.  

If you have any queries, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com.

The support helpdesk is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Diagnostic testing turnaround times

Primary care colleagues can expect to receive test results from cardiology’ pathology and radiology within the following timeframes. These start when a sample is received in our laboratories, or the test has been completed. They are subject to change.

Cardiology

Royal Free Hospital 

  • 24-hour blood pressure monitoring: one week
  • 24-hour ECG: two weeks
  • Echo: two weeks
  • ECG: one week

Barnet Hospital/Chase Farm Hospital/Edgware Community Hospital 

  • 24-hour blood pressure monitoring: one week
  • 24-hour ECG: three/four weeks
  • Echo: one week
  • ECG: one week

All ECG results are sent with an automatically generated algorithm, rather than a separate clinical report. Results for the other tests listed above are sent with a cardiac physiologist report.

If you have a specific clinical question about your patients’ results, please submit an advice and guidance request via e-RS. Do not submit a request for general comment on a patient’s results.

Pathology

All RFL sites

  • Biochemistry tests: three days
  • Haematology tests: two days

If you have any questions about your patient's results', please contact the pathology results helpline:

The results helplines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

For tQuest support enquiries, please email helpdesk@tdlpathology.com

Imaging

Royal Free Hospital

  • X-rays: ten days
  • Ultrasounds: two days
  • Dexa scans: three to four weeks

Barnet Hospital/Chase Farm Hospital/Potters Bar Hospital/Finchley Memorial Hospital/Edgware Community Hospital

  • X-rays: ten days
  • Ultrasounds: two days
  • Dexa scans: one to two weeks

Please ensure that paper referrals include the signature of the referring GP. We are legally unable to accept referrals without a valid signature.

For T-Quest requests a signature is not required.

The patient should be given the t-Quest printout for X-ray requests (this does not require a signature).

If you have any questions about your patient’s results, please contact the radiology teams:

Both mailboxes are monitored Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

If you would like to receive these updates directly, please contact rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net with your name, role and practice name.

Receive our monthly newsletter

A monthly newsletter for primary care is produced. This includes operational updates such as changes to referral pathways, service changes such as opening times and key contact information. 

To receive updates straight to your inbox, please email rf-tr.gpliaison@nhs.net with your name, job role and GP practice name. Please note, we are unable to add personal email addresses to this list.