Royal Free Hospital
The Royal Free Hospital's main switchboard connects callers to various services and departments, including appointment management and patient advice. Available Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00, the switchboard assists with changing or cancelling appointments, directing complaints, and providing patient support through the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Typical wait times vary, but calling during early morning hours may reduce delays. Having specific department or ward names ready can expedite the process, especially for patient-related queries.
Updated 15 Dec 2025
Expected outcomes
- Connect to specific department
- Change appointment details
- Cancel existing appointment
- Submit a formal complaint
- Receive patient support
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- Ward or department name
- Patient name
- Appointment details
- Patient information
- Specific complaint details
- Feedback or suggestion
Known issues
A common issue is misdialing the hospital's number, where callers mistakenly dial 020 8 instead of 020 3, leading to failed connections. To avoid this, ensure the correct number is dialed, starting with 020 3. If experiencing difficulties, double-check the number before calling. Additionally, during peak hours, wait times may increase, so consider calling during less busy periods. For non-urgent matters, exploring online resources or contacting via email may provide quicker resolutions.
