Plans to build two new vascular theatres at the front of the Royal Free Hospital have been approved by Camden Council. 

In line with the trust’s clinical vision for cardiovascular services and as the designated vascular surgical hub for north central London, the theatre expansion will enable us to treat more patients, reduce the time people have to wait for surgery and improve outcomes for those with cardiovascular disease. Tackling cardiovascular disease is one of the Royal Free London’s three group clinical priorities as it is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the UK and within north London.  

The council’s planning committee agreed to approve the plans on 27 February subject to a Section 106 legal agreement, which requires the trust to make a financial contribution to or provide specific amenities for the local community. 

The plans will see the hospital extended at the second and third storey level (above the undercroft area) to build two new hybrid theatres. Hybrid theatres are equipped to conduct both open surgery and have full x-ray facilities to carry out interventional radiology procedures.  

Enabling works update 

We previously shared that as part of the pre-construction works for the new theatres there would be several dates when there would be a crane lift on site. We are still expecting this to take place in spring to early summer, but there have been some changes to the advertised dates which we will share nearer the time. 

We expect the on-site enabling works to cause minimal disruption to residents. We have a disruption management plan in place, and the works are unlikely to cause a build-up of traffic or noise disturbance. The crane lift will not affect pedestrian access to the Heart Attack Centre and radiotherapy. The HAS road (as pictured below) will be reduced to one lane but will still be accessible to ambulances and cars entering the Pears building car park.