Key Points
- A petition to save the Chartwell Inpatient Cancer Unit at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Bromley has gathered over 20,000 signatures in two weeks.
- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust proposes to close the Chartwell unit and move hematology cancer patients to the Denmark Hill campus, nearly an hour away.
- The Chartwell Cancer Trust, founded by Michael Douglas after his own leukemia treatment at the ward, leads the petition.
- The trust has raised £1 million to support the ward, helping fund medical teams and equipment.
- Patients like Matthew Venner, diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, rely on this local treatment due to risks posed by travel and chemotherapy’s immune suppression effects.
- Children’s cancer services for South London and the South East are planned to move to Evelina London Children’s Hospital by autumn 2026, with radiotherapy at University College Hospital.
- The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care declined to call in the NHS England decision to relocate children’s cancer services, affirming that the move will proceed as planned.
- This change comes in part due to new NHS guidelines requiring children’s cancer treatment centres to be alongside level three children’s intensive care units—a standard The Royal Marsden Hospital does not meet.
- The decision aims to provide state-of-the-art, integrated intensive care for pediatric patients, as explained by NHS England’s medical director.
What Is the Current Situation with the South London Cancer Care Unit?
As reported by a journalist from The Se Londoner, a significant petition effort has emerged against NHS proposals to close the Chartwell Inpatient Cancer Unit at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Bromley. Over 20,000 individuals have signed the petition in just two weeks, aiming to save this specialist blood cancer inpatient facility. The proposed plan by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust would relocate hematology patients to the Denmark Hill campus, which is approximately an hour’s journey away from Bromley. This move has caused distress among patients and campaigners who fear the impact on access and quality of care.
Who Is Leading the Campaign to Save the Chartwell Unit?
Michael Douglas, founder of The Chartwell Cancer Trust, has spoken out against the closure. Douglas, who was treated for leukemia on the ward himself, emphasised the clinical importance of maintaining a dedicated blood cancer ward. He stated,
“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.”
He criticised the NHS Trust executives, saying, “They’re not here to chop them up”.
The Chartwell Cancer Trust has worked to bolster the ward, having raised £1 million to support medical teams and acquire new equipment, highlighting the facility’s critical role in the community.
What Concerns Are Patients Expressing?
Matthew Venner, diagnosed in December 2023 with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, spoke candidly about the risks he faces when seeking treatment. He explained,
“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.”
For patients like Venner, the proposed relocation would significantly increase the risks and complications tied to travel and accessing specialist care.
What Is Happening with Children’s Cancer Services in South London?
Separately but relatedly, cancer services for children in South London and the wider South East region are undergoing a major reorganisation. According to NHS England updates and The Guardian reports, the Specialist Children’s Cancer Services will transfer from The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton and St George’s Hospital in Tooting to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital in Lambeth, with radiotherapy provided at University College Hospital from autumn 2026 onwards.
This relocation aligns with NHS policy changes made in 2021, which mandate that specialist cancer centres for children must be co-located with level three children’s intensive care units — a requirement not met by The Royal Marsden.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, after reviewing the NHS England decision in early 2025, opted not to alter the plan. He confirmed that the transfer would proceed to ensure improved facilities and intensive care availability for children with cancer.
Why Is the Children’s Cancer Service Being Moved to Evelina London?
Dr. Chris Streather, Medical Director for NHS England in London, described the move as “a significant advancement for children’s cancer treatment.” He explained that the new centre will offer integrated intensive care services on-site, something that current hospitals lack. The centralisation to Evelina London is intended to deliver state-of-the-art treatments and enhance outcomes by following global best practices.
What Are the Community and Expert Responses to These Changes?
Campaigners and patients alike have expressed concern about both the adult and paediatric cancer service changes. For the adult services at PRUH Bromley, the local community, including cancer survivors and families, have mobilised to oppose the closure, fearing reduced local access and poorer care outcomes.
In contrast, the children’s cancer service move has received some support from NHS officials and staff involved in planning, who highlight safety and quality improvements. Evelina London NHS Foundation Trust states they are working with patients, parents, staff, and charities to ensure the new centre provides the best care possible.
How Will These Changes Affect Patients Going Forward?
For adult cancer patients in Bromley, if the Chartwell Unit closes, they will need to travel to Denmark Hill for treatment, increasing travel times and potential exposure risks. The loss of the dedicated inpatient ward may reduce bed availability by approximately one third, affecting clinical care capacity.
For children, the relocation to Evelina London is planned for no sooner than October 2026, and officials promise no sudden interruptions in care. The new centre aims to provide comprehensive cancer treatment linked with specialised intensive care on site, promising a higher standard of clinical support.
