Families and staff speak out in defence of the Chartwell Unit
The formal engagement period on proposals to reconfigure haematology cancer services at PRUH and relocate inpatient beds to Denmark Hill closed on Monday 16th March. This marks an important milestone in the process as King’s College Hospital Trust now moves to review feedback gathered through the surveys, focus groups and interviews it has conducted with patients and community stakeholders over the last month.
The Chartwell Cancer Trust’s Response
Throughout this period, The Chartwell Cancer Trust has taken an active part in the process. We have collected and submitted testimony from the public as formal evidence to be considered alongside the 30,726-strong petition calling for the protection of inpatient beds at PRUH.
Raising Awareness Through Community Voices
As part of our ongoing News Shopper series, we are continuing to raise awareness about the issue and to highlight what the Chartwell Unit means to the community: to the patients and families who rely on it, and to the staff who have helped build and sustain it. In our two latest editions, we have been publishing some of the voices of those closest to the Unit itself.
Last week’s feature brought together a collection of deeply personal accounts from patients and families who have bravely shared their experiences of treatment in the Unit to help others understand just how vital this service is. From life-saving rapid access to treatment to the comfort of being close to loved ones during the most difficult times, these stories demonstrate the impact of local inpatient cancer care on safety, recovery, and dignity and the vital role that the Chartwell Inpatient Ward plays in the life of the local community.
This week, we move on to explore staff perspectives. Current and former clinicians and nurses reflect on the continued clinical importance of local inpatient cancer care at PRUH and the distinctive ward culture that the Chartwell Unit has developed over many years. Their testimony shows that the case for Chartwell rests not only on its specialist clinical function, but on the unique environment of trust, continuity and compassionate care that the ward provides.
Although the formal engagement period has now ended, the process is not over. We will continue to scrutinise developments closely and advocate firmly for the interests of the community as KCH moves into the next stage of decision-making.
You can read and share the latest articles:
The Reality of Losing Inpatient Cancer Care at PRUH: Voices from the Community
The Chartwell Ward at Risk: Staff Perspectives
You can still add your name and share our petition, in support of the Chartwell Ward https://chng.it/LScTZjXfFW