Everything you need to know about visiting, attending A&E, finding the right department, and getting to the Royal Free, Hampstead's major NHS teaching hospital.
The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead is one of London's major NHS teaching hospitals, a large, world-renowned institution providing emergency, specialist, and general care to North London and beyond. This guide covers what the Royal Free offers, how to access its services, and practical information for patients and visitors.
- The Royal Free is a major NHS teaching hospital on Pond Street, Hampstead
- It has a 24-hour Accident & Emergency (A&E) department
- A renowned centre for specialties including liver disease, kidney transplant, and infectious diseases
- Easily reached by Tube (Belsize Park) and Overground (Hampstead Heath)
- For non-emergencies, contact NHS 111 or a local GP surgery first
- Part of Hampstead's strong healthcare provision
About the Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital has a distinguished history dating back to its founding in 1828, when it pioneered free treatment for those who could not afford care, the origin of its name. Today it is one of London's foremost NHS teaching hospitals, part of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, and a major centre for both general and highly specialised care.
Located on Pond Street in Hampstead, the hospital serves a large population across North London and acts as a national and international referral centre for several specialties. It is also a major centre for medical education and research, affiliated with University College London.
Services and Specialties
Emergency Care
The Royal Free has a 24-hour Accident & Emergency (A&E) department for serious and life-threatening conditions. In a medical emergency, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or signs of stroke, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
For urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, NHS 111 can advise on the most appropriate care, which may be an urgent care centre, a pharmacy, or a GP rather than A&E. See the emergency services guide for the full picture.
Specialist Care
The Royal Free is internationally renowned for several specialties, including:
- Liver disease and transplantation, one of the country's leading centres
- Kidney disease and transplantation
- Infectious diseases, including a high-level isolation unit of national importance
- Cancer care, vascular surgery, and immunology
Patients from across the UK are referred to the Royal Free for these specialist services.
General Hospital Services
Alongside its specialist work, the Royal Free provides the full range of general hospital services, outpatient clinics, surgery, maternity, diagnostics, and inpatient care, for the local population.
Margaret Field, a Belsize Park resident, has nothing but praise for the hospital on her doorstep. "When my husband had a heart scare, we were in the Royal Free A&E within ten minutes," she said. "The care was outstanding, fast, kind, expert. Living five minutes from a hospital of that calibre is one of the reasons we've never moved. It's a world-class hospital, and it's just up the road. You don't think about it until you need it, and then you're profoundly grateful it's there."
Accessing Care
Emergencies
- Call 999 for life-threatening emergencies, or go straight to A&E.
- The A&E department operates 24 hours a day, every day.
Urgent but Not Life-Threatening
- Call NHS 111 (free, 24/7) for advice on the right service.
- 111 can direct you to urgent care, a pharmacy, or an out-of-hours GP.
Planned and Routine Care
- Most specialist and outpatient care is by GP referral. Register with a local GP surgery and see your GP first for non-urgent health concerns.
- Outpatient appointments are arranged following referral.
Pharmacy
For minor ailments and medication advice, local pharmacies are an excellent first port of call and can save a trip to the hospital.
Visiting the Hospital
Getting There
- By Tube: Belsize Park (Northern line) is the closest station, a short walk away. Hampstead (Northern line) is also nearby.
- By Overground: Hampstead Heath station (North London line) is close.
- By bus: Several routes serve Pond Street and the surrounding area (including the 24, 46, and 168).
- By car: Parking is limited and the area is congested; public transport is strongly recommended.
Visiting Patients
Visiting hours and arrangements vary by ward and may change, so check the hospital's current guidance before visiting. Bring minimal belongings, follow infection-control measures, and respect ward routines.
The Royal Free and the Local Area
The presence of a major teaching hospital is a defining feature of Hampstead and Belsize Park. It is a significant local employer, a centre of medical excellence, and a reassuring presence for residents, one of the reasons the area is so popular with medical professionals, as noted in the Belsize Park area guide. The hospital sits within a wider network of excellent local healthcare, including GP surgeries, pharmacies, and emergency services.
Practical Information
- Address: Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3
- A&E: Open 24 hours for emergencies
- Emergencies: Call 999 or attend A&E
- Non-emergencies: Call NHS 111 or see a GP
- Nearest Tube: Belsize Park (Northern line)
- Parking: Very limited, use public transport
The Royal Free Hospital is one of London's great medical institutions, a world-class teaching hospital with renowned specialist services, a 24-hour A&E, and nearly two centuries of history rooted in the principle of care for all. For residents of Hampstead, Belsize Park, and the wider area, it provides both everyday hospital care and access to some of the finest specialist treatment in the country, right on the doorstep. For all your local healthcare needs, it sits at the heart of a strong network of GP surgeries, pharmacies, and emergency services.
