Local councillor hails ‘impressive’ Royal Brompton after in-depth visit

The local borough ward councillor for Royal Brompton has praised the hospital and its staff for their expertise and commitment following an in-depth tour.

Councillor Josh Rendall is one of three councillors representing Stanley ward in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea where the hospital is located, and is also the council’s lead for Adult Social Care and Public Health.

He was therefore visiting Royal Brompton and met its chief executive Richard Grocott-Mason, medical director Mark Mason, and director of strategy Piers McCleery, to hear not only about the latest developments in healthcare but also to hear about one of his significant local NHS employers – along with Chelsea and Westminster and the Royal Marsden, Royal Brompton is one of three major hospitals in his ward.

Dr Grocott-Mason and his team updated the councillor about Royal Brompton’s latest investments in new technology and its exciting plans for the future, as an established part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust with even more access now to expertise, specialist services, and a large patient population.

Councillor Rendall, accompanied by the borough’s head of health partnerships Grant Aitken, was then given a guided tour of the hospital’s new Diagnostic Centre, and wards in Sydney Wing and Fulham Wing, by lead nurse and associate hospital director Lorraine Campbell.

During the visit, the councillor met with consultant physician in respiratory medicine, Professor Pallav Shah, who demonstrated the hospital’s advanced diagnostic tools. These include innovative techniques for identifying lung cancer using smaller biopsies and more detailed, rapid analysis, enhancing both accuracy and patient outcomes.

“It's very impressive being shown around the Royal Brompton. Its reputation is known throughout the world and its staff do amazing things,” said Councillor Rendall. “I’d like to thank the hospital for the opportunity, and I’m delighted to see the commitment it has to remain in the area – it’s an outstanding institution that we can all be proud is in the borough. It’s something residents and everyone in the country can rely on to deliver outstanding care and I look forward to working with the Royal Brompton in the coming years.”

Dr Grocott-Mason emphasised that, in addition to its global reputation for clinical excellence and innovation, Royal Brompton remains deeply rooted in its local community. The hospital is actively engaged in initiatives to improve local transport infrastructure and is collaborating with other institutions in South Kensington’s renowned cultural and scientific quarter.

“These efforts aim to ensure that patients and staff alike can benefit from the area’s rich blend of cultural, scientific, and educational resources,” he said. “We truly appreciate the time and interest Councillor Rendall showed during his visit, and we look forward to working with him as a valued partner in shaping the future of healthcare.”