A petition to save an inpatient cancer care facility at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Bromley has gained more than 20,000 signatures in two weeks.
New proposals set out by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust threaten to close the Chartwell Inpatient Unit and move haematology cancer patients to the Denmark Hill campus of King’s College Hospital, almost an hour’s drive away.
The petition has been led by The Chartwell Cancer Trust, established in 2005 by Michael Douglas after his own treatment for leukaemia on the ward.
Douglas said: “The clinical judgement on record is clear: closing a dedicated blood cancer-specific ward would undermine care to a degree comparable with the loss of a respiratory ward.
“This will result in a reduction of inpatient beds by one third.
“The Trust executives should be custodians of these vital services. They’re not here to chop them up.”
The Chartwell Cancer Trust has raised £1 million to directly fund the ward, assisting medical teams and funding new equipment.
Matthew Venner was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in December 2023 and receives regular treatment at the hospital.
The 44-year-old said: “The chemotherapy I receive completely wipes my immune system.
“Our doctors tell us clearly not to travel on public transport. If I catch a cold which results in a temperature, I will need to spend a week in hospital.
“I worry about immunocompromised people having to travel further to Denmark Hill for treatment.”
Both Douglas and Venner described the personal impact on patients, explaining how this move could increase financial pressures and make family visits harder.
Venner said: “At the PRUH my two sons can visit me easily after school.
“If these plans go ahead this would become much more difficult and they would only be able to see me at weekends.
“For my family, a taxi journey to Denmark Hill would cost around £60.”
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust says the proposals would improve the quality of inpatient cancer care by providing ‘faster access to cutting-edge treatments.’
According to the Trust, a consultation process with patients, staff, and stakeholders has begun.
But a source has told South East Londoner that consultants on the ward had not been made aware of these early proposals and confusion around the process has led to nursing staff looking for transfers elsewhere.
This is not the first time the Chartwell ward has faced closure.
In 2016, similar plans were scrapped after strong opposition campaign from patients, families, and staff.
Independent Chislehurst councillors Mike Jack, Alison Stammers, and Mark Smith have announced their support for the Chartwell Cancer Trust’s campaign against the proposals.
Gareth Bacon MP for Orpington has been contacted for comment.
Featured image: Chartwell ward at Princess Royal University Hospital. Credit: Chartwell Cancer Trust
Join the discussion