The Bromley Council Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee convened to discuss a proposal from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KCH) to reconfigure haematology services at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). The meeting also provided an opportunity for councillors and the public to ask questions.

Reconfiguration of Haematology Services at PRUH

A report pack from KCH outlined a proposal to consolidate inpatient haematology care at King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill (KCH/DH), which is the Trust's tertiary haemato-oncology centre¹. The proposal also included enhancing both elective and emergency day case provision and pathways at the PRUH site.

The report stated that haematological cancers are the fifth most common cancers diagnosed in England, with approximately 40,000 new cases each year. KCH diagnoses around 4,200 new cancers annually, with 5% (220) being haematological. Of these, 102 were diagnosed at PRUH, with subsequent treatment delivered at the appropriate site.

The report pack stated that KCH/DH operates at Tier level 3 as a Comprehensive Care Centre/Tertiary Centre, while PRUH operates at Tier level 1 as a Local/General Haematology Unit.

The report pack made the case for change, stating that nurses at PRUH have limited exposure and opportunities to maintain annual Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) competencies², introducing clinical risk when delivering chemotherapy on the ward. The report pack also stated that PRUH has limited critical care capacity compared to KCH/DH.

The report pack outlined two options:

• Option 1: Maintain current model (status quo). This option was not recommended due to the inability to meet national standards and workforce instability.
• Option 2: Planned reconfiguration. This option involves consolidating inpatient (elective) Haematology to KCH/DH, with planned engagement and transition, and enhancing the day case pathways at the PRUH site. This option was recommended as it aligns with NHS England best practice and ensures all King's elective Haematology patients receive standardised care and benefit from the specialist care and support available at the KCH/DH site.

The report pack stated that a further eight beds would be opened at KCH/DH to accommodate an increased number of elective and acute haematology patients from the PRUH site.

The report pack also detailed engagement activities undertaken, including a review of patient feedback and informal staff briefing discussions. The report pack stated that Healthwatch Bromley was involved in supporting early engagement work with patients, carers, and staff.

The report pack asked members of the Bromley LA to:

a. Note and consider the case for change and the proposed options to address the challenges outlined

b. Note the assessment of service change in line with the engagement framework, and the planned engagement approach

c. Agree how the committee would wish to be kept informed and involved as work progresses

Questions From Councillors and Members of The Public

In accordance with the Council's Constitution, members of the public could submit one question each on matters relating to the work of the Sub-Committee. Questions seeking clarification of the details of a report on the agenda could be accepted within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda.

Future Meeting Dates

The committee noted the future meeting dates of 21 January 2026 and 5 March 2026.