Horsham parents join campaign to save children’s cancer services

Among the campaigners are parents whose children have been treated at the hospital’s Oak Centre for Children and Young People in Sutton who have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Horsham MP Jeremy Quin.

Nationwide more than 30,000 people are backing a It #MustBeMarsden campaign.

It launched after a controversial report to the NHS said children’s cancer services could be moved away from The Royal Marsden in Sutton – just nine years after it was opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge following an £18m fundraising campaign by The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Instead a centre where there are currently no children’s cancer services could be set up at a hospital in central London.

The Marsden’s children’s services - which treat around 12,000 patients a year - are rated by the Care Quality Commission as Outstanding and the hospital is ranked as one of the top centres in the UK for children.

Almost two-thirds of young patients who attend the Marsden in Sutton come from Kent, Surrey and Sussex, including Horsham.

Campaigners are worried that switching the service to central London will increase journey times and risks to patients having to use public transport, as well as the financial impact on families.

The threat to the Marsden follows a controversial report this year in which it was said children’s cancer services should be co-located with a paediatric intensive care unit.

Horsham patient Kathleen Rand said: “The Oak Centre provides exceptional care and treatment for young cancer patients, there is nothing but praise from the local people that benefit from the location of this centre. Do not move it.”

Nick van As, medical director of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Royal Marsden in Sutton ensures that children and young people with cancer receive the very best treatment and care, including access to clinical trials to improve survival, expertise in oncology, and modern, age-appropriate facilities.

“The Care Quality Commission recently assessed the Trust as ‘a beacon of outstanding practice’ and our children’s service as ‘Good’ for safety and ‘Outstanding’ for caring. Patients and families consistently rate us as one of the best centres in the country for patient experience.

“We believe that a proposal which retains The Royal Marsden’s cancer expertise, life-saving research, modern facilities and accessible location for the population we serve will continue to provide the best clinical outcomes and patient experience.

“We will be urging NHS England to demonstrate that any proposed changes can provide a better service for children with cancer and their families.”

A final decision on the move will be made by NHS England’s Board.