The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has said that if King’s College Hospital does not progress its plans to build a new ward for cystic fibrosis patients, it will withdraw the £420,000 raised for the project.

The charity was approached by King’s College Hospital in 2010 to fund half the cost of the new unit, with the hospital funding the other £450,000. The Trust said that funding was in place by 2011 but the hospital has not been able to commit a timescale for the new development.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has given the hospital three months to confirm when work on the project will start, or it will withdraw the funding. King’s College Hospital has said it cannot meet that deadline.

A spokesman at the hospital has said it is still committed to finding a permanent home for its cystic fibrosis patients, but are unable to provide the charity with a timetable for when the work will be carried out. It says this is because it has a programme of “vital improvement works to deliver, all of which are designed to improve patient care”. He added that if the charity wants to take its money elsewhere, the hospital understands.

He said: “We remain grateful to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust for their generous offer of support. We have written to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and explained that we share their wish to improve services for cystic fibrosis patients at King’s.

“We recently transferred the Adult Cystic Fibrosis unit to our Golden Jubilee Wing. This provides patients with a modern facility, and also means they no longer have to share bathrooms with each other. This is a positive step forward for patients and staff.”

A petition with over 2,600 signatures, which called for King’s College Hospital to make a definitive commitment to a new adult cystic fibrosis centre, was delivered to the hospital's board in December.

James Barrow, head of public affairs at the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: “The petition shows the strong support we have had and proves the cystic fibrosis community sees proper standards of patient care is of utmost importance. Patients have told us how they dread being admitted to hospital as sharing facilities with other cystic fibrosis patients runs the risk of cross infection and puts their health at further risk.  

“The hospital have restated their commitment to provide a permanent home. But, it is disappointing that they have not announced a timetable for this, and we will continue to press for action.

“People with cystic fibrosis receiving their care at King’s have been let down time and time again. They have been promised improved facilities and yet still no decision has been taken to honour the commitments made.”