Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust and the Royal Free are in discussions about combining to form a foundation trust.

Barnet and Chase Farm’s board has been looking for potential partners after deciding it would not become a foundation trust on its own in July.

The board discussed potential NHS bodies before choosing the Royal Free as its “single option”. 

Over the next month the patient, staff and financial benefits will be assessed and a decision taken in October whether to proceed with an outline business case. 

Both Barnet and Chase Farm and the Royal Free have declined to comment further on the proposals.