The Information Briefings of Bromley Council were scheduled to discuss updates from various health services, including King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, as well as the progress of the South East London Integrated Care Board's initiatives. A key focus was the proposed reconfiguration of Haematology Services at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH).

Update from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The meeting was scheduled to receive a general update from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, covering emergency performance, referral to treatment (RTT) times, cancer performance, and workforce developments. Specific attention was to be given to the operational status of the new endoscopy unit, the uptake of the Epic and MyChart systems, and the Trust's financial position.

Developing the New 5-Year Strategy for 2026-2031

A significant portion of the discussion was expected to focus on King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's development of its new 5-year strategy, replacing the current BOLD strategy. This involved shaping the strategy's values, purpose, and vision through engagement with patients, staff, and local communities. The proposed new values were: Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative, and Innovative. The strategy was to be supported by six strategic objectives, including high-quality patient care, pioneering research, timely and efficient patient care, a supportive work environment, strong partnerships, and financial sustainability. The King's Improvement Method (KIM) was to be a key part of the new approach, aiming to align strategic priorities with daily practice.

Update on the Proposed Reconfiguration of Haematology Services at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH)

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the proposed reconfiguration of Haematology Services at the PRUH. This followed feedback from previous meetings and aimed to clarify which patient pathways were being proposed or excluded, and what this would mean for patients and residents of Bromley. The discussion was expected to address how haematology care has evolved, with a move towards more specialised treatments often delivered in outpatient settings. The Trust aimed to extend the benefits of its Denmark Hill centre to Bromley residents, while emphasising that most care would continue to be provided at the PRUH. The report was expected to explain the rationale behind the proposal, including the potential closure of the inpatient unit at Chartwell, and the associated savings. The need to balance accessibility with clinical outcomes was to be a key consideration.

Update from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

An update was scheduled from Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, focusing on the demand for Mental Health Hubs and the transition to a new 4-week access standard for referrals. The report was expected to detail the significant increase in referrals for adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the challenges in assessment waiting times. The integration of the Oxleas crisis line into the NHS 111 'Press 2' mental health option was also to be discussed, along with efforts to improve GP engagement and reduce unnecessary re-referrals.

Update on Dental Services

The meeting was to include an update on dental services in the borough, highlighting the high delivery of dental contracts across London. The discussion was expected to cover the challenges in securing routine appointments, despite additional funding to improve access. The role of community dental services, delivered by Bromley Healthcare, and the contractual review process were also on the agenda.

Paediatric Audiology Services Update (ICB)

A briefing was scheduled on the proposed transfer of routine paediatric audiology services from Bromley Healthcare to Evelina London Children's Hospital. This change followed a national review and the consolidation of Tier 2 services into a single accredited provider model. The report was expected to explain the reasons for the consolidation, including the need to meet strengthened national standards and the limitations of existing local facilities.

Healthwatch Bromley - Chartwell Patient Experience Report (Verbal Update)

A verbal update was anticipated from Healthwatch Bromley regarding their patient experience report, with a focus on the Chartwell Unit at the PRUH and the Denmark Hill site. Key findings were expected to cover areas of good practice, opportunities for improvement, accessibility, and recommendations for policy and service development. Specific issues such as car parking, waiting times, pharmacy processes, and communication between departments were likely to be discussed.

South East London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Verbal Update)

A verbal update was to be provided on the activities of the South East London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, noting that no meetings had taken place since the last update and that further meetings were unlikely before the end of the civic year.