ANOTHER MP has backed the Gazette campaign to keep urology cancer surgery in Colchester.

Witham MP Priti Patel said Colchester General Hospital was the right choice for the provision of specialist urological cancer surgical services in Essex in a letter to the chief executive of NHS England.

Under guidelines laid down by NICE, there will only be one centre for urology cancer surgery in Essex.

Both Southend and Colchester health trusts are due to bid for it.

Ms Patel said: “Colchester’s location and connections to the rest of the county make it the right choice for these important specialist services to be located.

“In recent years, the hospital has invested in this service and as a result there are more patients being treated, more operations taking place, and more consultants working there.

“Colchester has already established a strong reputation and high levels of patient satisfaction for specialist urological cancer surgical services, which makes it the best place for people in Essex to come to for these treatments.”

The Gazette handed a petition of nearly 8,000 signature to Number 10 Downing Street on Wednesday.

The same petition – including letters and coupons – will be presented to Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation.