Thousands of individuals have joined a campaign aimed at preserving specialized blood cancer treatment services at a hospital in south London.

The current 12-bed unit at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Orpington offers inpatient care for haematology patients dealing with cancer.

However, the NHS trust that operates PRUH, known as King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, revealed last month that it intends to transfer this service to its other facility located 12 miles away, King’s College Hospital in Camberwell.

As of Thursday, the petition opposing this relocation had gathered nearly 30,000 signatures. The hospital trust indicated that a final verdict on the matter has yet to be established.

The petition was initiated by the Chartwell Cancer Trust, which expressed concerns that shifting blood cancer care to King’s College Hospital would negatively impact patients and their families.

Michael Douglas, a trustee of the charity, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “For these patients, every minute and mile is critical.

“Transfers can cause delays at every stage—whether it’s coordination, transit, or waiting for a bed upon admission. In urgent scenarios like neutropenic sepsis, immediate treatment is crucial.”

One resident from Orpington shared that her husband spent eight months in the Chartwell ward receiving blood cancer treatment.

Now in remission, she was able to visit him daily during his care. She remarked, “If this facility were to relocate to King’s College Hospital, despite its excellent reputation, visiting him would have been a significant strain.

“Parking is extremely challenging, and public transport options, like trains or buses, are quite inconvenient for those of us living in the southern area of Bromley borough.

“Chemotherapy is an arduous process, and regular visits from family play a vital role in boosting the spirits of a patient battling blood cancer.

“This, combined with the dedicated support from the doctors, nurses, and staff in this specialized unit, has been essential for my husband’s recovery.”

In response, King’s College Hospital NHS Trust stated that the proposed move “would ensure equal access to specialized haematology cancer treatment for all patients in Bromley” and “provide quicker access to the latest treatments and clinical trials.”

The trust also reassured the community that no final decisions had been finalized and that the Chartwell unit would continue to operate and support cancer patients under any forthcoming plans.

A trust representative further explained: “The proposals we are working on involve consolidating all haematology inpatient cancer care offered by the trust at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell.

“This means that haematology patients who are currently treated on the Chartwell ward at PRUH would receive their care at King’s College Hospital, a specialist center for haematological disorders.

“These plans are being shaped by hospital clinicians with the goal of enhancing patient care.”