The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust has donated £1.25 million for the development of a new surgery centre at the Royal Free Hospital aimed at helping patients with disfigurements.

The Charles Wolfson Centre for Reconstructive Surgery will give surgeons at the trust access to the latest technology and equipment and help to develop more effective treatments for patients. The £3 million centre will consist of newly-designed laboratories where research into the latest plastic reconstructive surgery, led by surgeon Professor Peter Butler, will be carried out. The remainder of the money is being pledged by the Royal Free Charity.

Andrew Wolfson from the Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust said: “We are delighted to make this contribution to the Charles Wolfson Centre for Reconstructive Surgery. This is a hugely important area of medical research and new treatments developed here could have an enormous impact on patients’ lives. This will be a national centre for this area of research, right here in Hampstead.”

Peter Butler said: “I am delighted that this centre is going to be developed – it means the Royal Free Hospital can lead the way in reconstructive surgery.

“This new centre will allow us to expand our research in developing new treatments in reconstructive surgery. I will be using the most up-to-date facilities and best equipment. This will be one of the largest centres for plastic reconstructive surgery in the country. We will be researching new treatments for patients with burns, for example, as well as treatments for armed forces personnel who have combat injuries.”

For more information contact: fay.dawes@nhs.net. 

Notes to editors

Media contacts: rf.mediaenquiries@nhs.net or call 020 7317 7740

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.