Endoscopy and Diagnostic Centre officially opens at the PRUH

24 June 2026 - New multi-million pound, standalone, two-storey facility now treating patients

On Monday 22 June 2026, the new Endoscopy and Diagnostic Centre based at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) officially opened, enabling specialist staff to see up to 4,500 additional suspected cancer patients each year.

Sir Jim Mackey, Chief Executive Officer at NHS England (pictured front row, far right), and Gareth Bacon, MP for Orpington (pictured second row, far left), were joined by PRUH staff at the official opening, together with local stakeholders.

The new facility – which treated its first patient in April this year – boasts six procedure rooms, six consulting rooms, a dedicated decontamination suite, as well as separate male and female recovery areas. It has been designed with the comfort of patients in mind, but also provides state-of-the-art training and classroom facilities for staff.

South East London has long been identified as a priority area for increasing endoscopy provision, and the new, purpose-built facility at the PRUH will enable staff to meet the growing demand for endoscopy services, supporting quicker diagnosis and treatment for thousands more people each year.

An endoscopy involves specially trained healthcare professionals inserting a long, thin tube into a patient’s body through a natural opening, such as their mouth. The tube has a small camera inside, called an endoscope, which is used to look for signs of disease, including cancer.

Patient Terry Norris is currently receiving treatment from the endoscopy team at the PRUH, following a diagnosis of pancreatitis. He said: “I worked here as an electrician when the PRUH was being built, back in 2002. I never dreamt I’d be coming back here now as a patient.

“The department has been brilliant, I can’t praise it enough. Every day is a blessing now. Everything in the new unit is newer, better and therefore it can only improve the quality of operations, and people getting well.”

Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, of which the PRUH is part, said:

“We are extremely grateful to teams across the PRUH who have helped make this new facility a reality for people living across South East London. It has been designed specifically to meet the needs of our patients, whilst supporting our staff to reduce waiting times, help people stay healthier for longer, and train the next generation of endoscopy professionals here at the PRUH. This is also a proud moment for local people and stakeholders, who have supported the new Endoscopy and Diagnostic Centre throughout its development.”

Professor Bu Hayee, Gastroenterology Consultant and Clinical Director at King’s, added:

“The new facility is already making a positive difference to the patients accessing endoscopy services at the PRUH. We know that early diagnosis for conditions such as cancer is absolutely crucial, and the new Endoscopy and Diagnostic Centre at the PRUH will help ensure local people can have access to faster diagnosis and potentially life-saving treatment.”