Children's cancer unit move 'disastrous' - charity

A Surrey charity has criticised a decision to move children's cancer services out of the South East to the Evelina London Children's Hospital as "disastrous".

The government confirmed in February that the specialist services will be transferred in autumn 2026.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it had concluded the move was the best decision for young cancer patients, while NHS England said the current arrangement did not meet national requirements.

Kevin Capel, co-founder of Christopher's Smile in Lightwater, Surrey, said: "It will mean far longer travelling times, no improvement whatsoever in patient outcomes and no clear future as to research."

At the moment, cancer treatment for those aged under 15 in the south east, including Surrey, Sussex and Kent, as well as south London, is provided by the Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton and St George's Hospital, Tooting.

The move will see all specialist cancer services for children transferring to Evelina London Children's Hospital in Lambeth and radiotherapy will be at University College Hospital.

Mr Capel said he is worried about the impact, adding: "This move will be disastrous for children diagnosed with cancer.

"In the current tough economic climate where every penny of NHS funding needs to be spent wisely, how can NHS England possibly justify spending tens of millions of pounds on a project that will deliver so many disadvantages":[]}