The Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting was scheduled to receive updates from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB), and Healthwatch Bromley. A key item for discussion was the proposed reconfiguration of Haematology Services at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH).

Update from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an update from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, focusing on the proposed reconfiguration of Haematology Services at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). The report outlined the Trust's aim to address clinical and operational challenges by consolidating inpatient haematology cancer care onto the Denmark Hill site, while enhancing day case and outpatient provision at the PRUH. This proposal would maintain emergency and outpatient haematology services at the PRUH, with a focus on developing ambulatory (day case) services. The report detailed that no final decisions would be made until a formal engagement period with patients, families, and stakeholders had concluded, and a full Project Initiation Document (PID), including Quality and Equality Impact Assessments, had been completed.

The report provided an analysis of inpatient activities over a two-year period, indicating the number of elective and emergency admissions. It also discussed the evolution of haematology treatments and the implications for nursing and chemotherapy service provision, suggesting that aligning the staffing model with a changing care model would be more sustainable. An engagement plan was outlined, detailing a 4-6 week period of formal engagement with patients, local stakeholders, and staff, scheduled to launch in late January 2026. This engagement would involve online focus groups, digital surveys, telephone interviews, and meetings with local stakeholders including Bromley Council and Healthwatch Bromley.

SEL ICB/ICB Update

The South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) update was scheduled to provide an overview of key work, improvements, and developments undertaken by the SEL ICB and its partners within the One Bromley collaborative. The report highlighted progress in several areas, including diabetes care, with a focus on the Super Six Model to streamline care and focus specialist resources on complex cases. It also provided an update on Type 1 diabetes in children and young people, noting the importance of early diagnosis and the hospital's commitment to same-day assessment.

The update also covered the winter plan, indicating its broad delivery and efforts to mitigate seasonal pressures, alongside a reduction in flu cases. A visit from NHS England to observe older adult same-day emergency care services at Bromley was mentioned, recognising local progress in this area. The One Bromley Cervical Screening Project was highlighted for being shortlisted for a national award, showcasing a targeted approach to improving screening uptake. Furthermore, the report detailed the operationalisation of the Bromley Health and Wellbeing Centre and the One Bromley Wellbeing Hub, aiming to provide integrated, preventative, and community-based support. Finally, an update on the Bromley Falls Campaign in care homes was included, detailing efforts to improve falls management and prevention, with positive early results.

Healthwatch Bromley - Patient Experience Report

The Healthwatch Bromley Patient Experience Report for July-September 2025 was scheduled for discussion. This report aimed to raise awareness of issues and suggest improvements in local health and care services based on resident feedback. The report provided a snapshot of experiences, detailing the number of reviews collected and the breakdown of positive, negative, and neutral feedback across various service types, with a particular focus on GP and hospital services.

The report included detailed findings on GP services, highlighting areas of strength such as the quality of treatment and appointment availability, while also identifying areas for improvement, particularly concerning access via online systems and telephone. For hospital services, the report noted positive feedback on appointment availability, staff attitudes, and quality of treatment, but also pointed to concerns regarding waiting times and difficulties in getting through on the telephone. The report also included thematic analysis and demographic breakdowns to understand patient experiences across different groups and locations within Bromley.

Work Programme and Matters Outstanding

The Sub-Committee was also scheduled to review its work programme and consider any outstanding actions from previous meetings. This included a standing item to receive an update from King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, specifically regarding the proposed reconfiguration of Haematology Services at the PRUH. Other standing items included the SEL ICB update and the Healthwatch Bromley Patient Experience Report. The work programme also indicated future topics for discussion, such as updates on dental services, GP access, and reports from the London Ambulance Service and Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust.