Blaze hits finances of Royal Marsden

Experts said the world-famous trust could lose income to other hospitals if its operating theatres and wards stay out of action.

Hundreds of appointments and admissions have already been cancelled after flames destroyed half the roof and the fourth floor.

But if the trust is forced to continue the cutbacks patients could be sent to other trusts in future - losing valuable income. Under health service rules hospitals are only paid for patients they see.

Monitor, which regulates the Marsden and other foundation trusts, said: "We are looking at this carefully. It may be that we have to look at the income situation if they have reduced capacity in the longer term. There may be financial issues."

The hospital said it was reducing the risk by finding space in other London trusts for Marsden doctors to treat patients. But it is still likely to be billed for using these operating theatres and wards. Bosses have yet to hammer out a deal for paying the Royal Brompton after it treated 54 evacuated patients.

The hospital faces a multi-million pound bill for damage caused by the fire. Offers of help have been flooding in but chief executive Cally Palmer said the trust was insured.

Meanwhile patients celebrated as it emerged the outpatient and medical day unit will reopen on Monday. The first people to receive treatment will be given chemotherapy in the Granard House wing.

Jason Boas, 33, from Barnet, will receive intravenous drugs for his pancreatic cancer after he was evacuated moments before treatment on Wednesday. He was treated in a pub next door.

"I am a bit concerned at the delay but this is nothing compared to how bad it could have been. All our records could have gone up in smoke and we could have been waiting for weeks. As it is my whole treatment will only be held back by a week," he said.

The Royal Marsden helpline numbers are: 020 8770 9395, 020 8661 3836, 020 8661 3839 and 020 8770 9683.