A cancer patient in southeast London is expressing profound concern over plans to transfer his treatment to another hospital, a move that has sparked significant community opposition. Matthew Venner, a 42-year-old currently undergoing treatment for stage four Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Orpington, fears that relocating cancer services to King’s College Hospital in Camberwell, located 40 minutes away, could severely impact his health and accessibility to care.
Mr. Venner, who is grappling with the challenges of his illness, has raised alarm about the implications of the proposed move, particularly the burdensome travel time and how it will affect his ability to see his two children during treatment. He believes that if services are relocated, his children may no longer be able to visit him daily after school, a vital emotional support for him as he battles cancer. Moreover, Mr. Venner highlighted concerns related to infection risks associated with traveling while immunocompromised.
The plan to shift inpatient haematology cancer care from PRUH to King’s College has garnered attention and considerable backlash from the community. The local sentiment is reflected in a petition that has rapidly gained nearly 25,000 signatures in support of keeping cancer services at PRUH, demonstrating the significance of accessible care for patients in the area.
In response to the growing concern, a spokesperson for King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust reiterated that the proposed changes aim to improve patient care for haematology patients. They pointed out that this initiative builds upon existing practices where some patients from the Bromley area have already received treatment at King’s for specialized care.
As the uncertainty surrounding the relocation continues, many patients, including Mr. Venner, are left feeling anxious about the potential risks associated with travel and accessibility to necessary medical care. However, the strong community support revealed through the petition indicates a collective effort to advocate for local cancer services, underscoring the importance of accessible healthcare in supporting patients through their challenging journeys.