The Royal Free Hospital could be extended to create two new operating theatres.

The property services arm of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust has submitted an application to Camden Council to build the extension to the hospital’s second and third floors.

Planning documents reveal that the new operating theatres will help the Hampstead hospital provide vascular services.

There is currently only one vascular theatre at the Royal Free, which is described as having outdated imaging equipment and not meeting “modern space standards”.

The Royal Free as it looks now (left) compared to how it will look once the extension is built (right)The Royal Free as it looks now (left) compared to how it will look once the extension is built (right) (Image: Hazle McCormack Young LLP (HMY))

It is hoped that the extension will help to address existing patient waiting lists by increasing the hospital’s overall theatre capacity.

The design of the extension is intended to pay homage to the Brutalist style of the original hospital building, while also reflecting the more modern Pears Building, as the new operating theatres will sit between the two.

The hospital has said that it is committed to mitigating disruption to the hospital, parking and nearby traffic during the construction phase of the project.

The existing access to the hospital buildings and Pears Building will not be affected once the proposed extension is complete, and it will provide level, step-free access throughout.

Full details of the plans can be found on Camden Council’s planning portal under reference 2024/4642/P.

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