Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the Royal Free Hospital (RFH) on Sunday afternoon to thank staff for their efforts in caring for patients being treated for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Mr Johnson met with staff from the infectious diseases team and paid tribute to the doctors and nurses treating patients who have the virus.

He said:  “It is vital that the UK makes every possible preparation for the potential spread of coronavirus.

“On Sunday I visited the high level isolation unit and heard about the measures in place at the Royal Free Hospital to enable patients affected by the virus to be treated safely and effectively.  

“I was privileged to meet some of the inspirational NHS staff who are working so hard to protect the public and contain the spread of the virus. I would like to say 'thank you' to these dedicated teams and to all the hospital staff working to give all patients the best possible care.”

Royal Free London group chief executive Caroline Clarke said she was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to the RFH and to show him some of the hospital’s specialist facilities.

She added: “I would like to thank the Prime Minister for coming to meet some of our clinicians yesterday. I’m so proud of how hard our staff are working to ensure patients with COVID-19 are safely cared for and this visit will have been a real boost for them.

“Staff across the whole trust are supporting this important work so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their commitment to patient care.”