ANNOUNCEMENT: Launch of Formal Engagement Period on proposed changes to Haematology Inpatient Care at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH)
Local stakeholders, including The Chartwell Cancer Trust, have this week received notice from the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust that the stakeholder engagement period on plans to remodel haematology cancer care services at PRUH is now underway. The engagement period will run until Monday 16 March 2026.
What Is Being Proposed?
Proposals include:
- Remodelling the haematological cancer care currently provided at PRUH
- Bringing all haematology inpatient care together at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill
- Enhancing day-case provision at PRUH for both emergency and planned care
The Trust has reiterated that the Chartwell Unit will not close but confirms that care delivered on the inpatient ward would be centralised at Denmark Hill as part of reconfiguration plans.
According to the Trust, the aim is to improve services, optimise clinical outcomes and to provide equity of access and a sustainable long-term model.
The Chartwell Cancer Trust’s Position
For twenty years, The Chartwell Cancer Trust has been the principal charitable funder of the Chartwell Inpatient Unit and a long-standing partner to PRUH. Our purpose is to strengthen local NHS cancer care and support and represent the oncology patients and families within our community.
Throughout this process, we have adopted a clear, firm position – these proposals would eliminate local inpatient haematology cancer care at PRUH – a critical community asset that patients and families rely upon. The impact on the community includes:
- Removal of specialist inpatient cancer provision close to home
- Reduction in equity of access to care for the community
- Increase in travel time, cost and practical burden on patients and carers, disproportionately affecting elderly, frail and immunocompromised patients
- Dismantling a long-established, purpose-built local service and workforce
- Displacing clinical risk and operational pressure elsewhere in the system
These impacts extend beyond Bromley to a far wider geographical population of residents.
Since August, we have submitted a detailed opposition paper, presented clinical and patient evidence, mobilised more than 28,000 petition signatories and engaged with scrutiny bodies and elected representatives.
Engagement Process
This engagement period provides an opportunity for local stakeholders to:
- Be fully aware and informed of the proposals
- Review the background and case for change
- Share views, considerations, and suggestions
The Chartwell Cancer Trust has been invited to submit feedback on the proposals to help inform decision-making as part of the post-engagement report. We will be participating constructively and have written to the Trust seeking clarification on aspects of the engagement process to ensure it is meaningful and fully representative.
The Trust’s engagement briefing and FAQs can be read in full HERE
Opportunity to Share Views
We will be gathering feedback and submitting questions to the Stakeholder Relations Team.
If you would like your views to be included in our collective response, please share them with us as soon as possible by email to info@chartwellcancertrust.co.uk.
Your input is important and will help ensure patient and community perspectives are fully represented. The engagement period will run until 19th March.
Please, support, sign and share our petition: https://chng.it/LScTZjXfFW