The Chartwell Cancer Trust: Statement on the proposed closure of the Chartwell Unit, The Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH)
Date: 22 September 2025
In light of the recent internal review of haematology inpatient cancer care by King’s College Hospital, The Chartwell Cancer Trust stands in opposition to any proposals to close the Chartwell Inpatient Unit at Princess Royal University Hospital and to relocate local services.
Founded in the Unit’s name in 2005, our charity has provided consistent support for the unit for two decades as its principal funding partner. True to that commitment, we will lead rigorous scrutiny of emerging plans while advocating robustly for patients, families, clinicians and the wider community throughout this process.
The Chartwell Unit is a purpose-built, specialist ward that manages the acute needs of blood cancer patients and treatment-related complications. It is a critical healthcare asset that brings together co-located expertise, chemotherapy-competent nursing, vigilant infection control and senior medical supervision to deliver consistent, exemplary care rooted in continuity, familiarity and long-standing relationships between patients, carers and clinicians.
We firmly believe that the current proposal carries a high risk of material harm to patients because the removal of local care will necessitate lengthy transfers to an off-site hospital where staffed capacity is not assured, creating delays and bottlenecks already widespread across our system. In emergencies common to this patient cohort, every extra mile jeopardises safety. Additional plans to disperse inpatients across non-haematology wards at the PRUH will further undermine care quality, fragment clinical oversight and worsen patient outcomes.
Equity in healthcare begins with proximity. When care is relocated away from communities, patients and families face longer, costlier, more complex journeys, transferring financial and logistical burdens onto households – especially those who are older, frailer, lower-income or juggling work and childcare.
At a time when the NHS seeks to prioritise integrated, closer-to-home services to tackle barriers to healthcare access, this action runs contrary to national strategy, widening inequalities and eradicating the neighbourhood-based care our country needs to preserve.
“We will work constructively with the Trust, but our duty and commitment are clear: to protect safe, specialist local inpatient cancer care for the people who depend on it today and in the years ahead,”
Michael Douglas, Senior Trustee, The Chartwell Cancer Trust.
We recognise that this process has been in motion for some time, with the internal review completed and staff briefings already undertaken. As King’s College Hospital continues developing plans, we expect clear assurances on patient safety, proven staffed capacity at the receiving site, full and transparent analysis of risk and of access and equity impacts, as well as the fair appraisal of alternatives.
APPENDIX- OPPOSITION DOCUMENTS:
ANNEX ONE
ANNEX TWO
ANNEX THREE
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Media contacts: Michael Douglas, Trustee, michaeldouglas@chartwellcancertrust.co.uk
Natalie Reilly, Trustee, natalie@chartwellcancertrust.co.uk