The Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) is enhancing its medical services with the construction of a new endoscopy unit, set to increase patient capacity.

This development is part of a broader initiative to meet the growing healthcare demands in Bromley and south-east London.

The £20m ($25.9m) standalone, two-storey facility is expected to accommodate up to 4,500 additional patients annually.

The construction of the facility commenced earlier this year and is scheduled for completion in 2025.

The structural frame is now in place, and the progress of the new unit was marked by a topping-out ceremony held on 25 October 2024.

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Clive Kay said: “We are delighted that the project to build a new, state-of-the-art endoscopy unit for Bromley residents and people in south-east London is making good progress, and we are on track to open it next year.

“The extra space the unit provides will help our teams see and treat more patients and aid with the vital early detection and treatment of various conditions, including cancers.”

Orpington Member of Parliament Gareth Bacon said: “It was good to be shown around the site of the new endoscopy unit at the PRUH. This is going to be a vital facility for Orpington; it will help detect and treat cancers earlier and care for thousands of patients.”

Additionally, a new 1,500kVA substation is being installed to bolster the hospital's electricity supply infrastructure, ensuring greater resilience.

The expansion is a response to the identified need for increased endoscopy services in south-east London, especially considering the high proportion of residents over the age of 65 in Bromley.

It also aligns with national NHS goals to increase the number of endoscopy rooms to 3.5 per 100,000 population over the age of 50 years by March 2025.