KCH decision on PRUH haematology cancer care
King’s College Hospital announced its decision yesterday to remove specialist inpatient haematology cancer care from the Princess Royal University Hospital and to convert Chartwell Ward into a Haematology Day Unit. The Trust says it intends to make these changes operational by autumn 2026.
This is a deeply disappointing and troubling announcement. The Chartwell Cancer Trust remains firmly opposed to the loss of dedicated inpatient haematology care provision at PRUH. For patients and families, access to inpatient treatment close to home remains a vital part of safe, humane and accessible care. Where it can safely be provided at PRUH, it can avoid an unnecessary transfer at a time of acute illness and keep patients close to familiar staff, specialist support and family.
Over the past year, patients, families, clinicians, councillors and the wider community have raised serious concerns about the proposal. These concerns include the practical impact of travelling to Denmark Hill, the availability of specialist beds, patient safety, the effect on families, the future of local staff and the evidence on which this major change is being made.
More than 32,000 people have now signed the petition opposing the loss of inpatient haematology services at PRUH. That strength of feeling cannot simply be set aside.
We are also extremely concerned by the timing and process of yesterday’s announcement. KCH has published its decision before the findings of its engagement process have been shared with stakeholders, before the final proposal and supporting evidence have been made available for review, and little more than a week before the next Bromley Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 9 July.
At the January Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, Deputy Chief Executive Julie Lowe accepted that the original case behind the proposal had been inadequate and insufficiently rigorous. She said the Trust needed to do further work, test its proposals properly and return with a case fit for scrutiny. Instead, KCH has now announced the outcome before councillors and stakeholders have had a meaningful opportunity to examine the case. This is not the transparent and rigorous process that was promised.
We will be challenging both the decision itself and the way in which it has been reached. We are seeking the immediate publication of the engagement report, the final proposal, the supporting evidence and full clarification of how and when this decision was approved. We will also be working with councillors and other partners to ensure that the 9 July meeting is not allowed to become a purely retrospective exercise.
We would like to thank every patient, family, clinician, supporter, campaigner and local representative who has spoken up over the past year. Your voices have made clear how much this service matters to our community, and why the serious questions you have raised cannot simply be closed down by this announcement.
We will continue to keep our supporters updated.
View KCH press release HERE
Sign the petition HERE