Hopes are rising that radiotherapy services for cancer patients in Mid Essex will be retained in Colchester rather than being centralised in Ipswich.

The prospect of cancer patients having to travel to Ipswich for radiotherapy treatment had caused a storm of protest, but there are now signs that the campaign against the move is having some effect.

A major review of cancer services is taking place for the Eastern Health region, which now includes North Essex.

Simon Burns, MP for West Chelmsford, who has been pressing for services to be retained within reasonable travelling distance for mid Essex patients, said: "Following both the correspondence I have received from North Essex Health Authority and the meeting they recently had in Colchester, I am more hopeful about the future of cancer treatment in North and Mid Essex.

"North Essex Health Authority has stated that there are no plans to take cancer care away from Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich, but that they are looking at how these three towns can offer even greater access to the highest quality cancer care.

"Providing this means, when the review is completed, that there will be continued cancer care in these three towns and further enhancements of the care in the area, then I would warmly welcome these improvements.

"If, by any chance, the situation were to change and services in Chelmsford and Colchester downgraded or shifted to Ipswich, then I would oppose them totally and fight them root and branch.

"I will continue to keep a close eye on the situation because it is crucial that Chelmsford and Colchester have the best cancer care possible."

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