TESTIMONIALS from patients will form part of the bid to keep specialist cancer surgery services in Colchester.

The Gazette yesterday presented a copy of a petition, signed by 8,000 readers, to Alan Rose, chairman of Colchester’ hospital trust, and consultant urologist John Corr.

The petition calls for NHS officials planning a single specialist uroglogy cancer surgery unit for the whole of Essex to keep the unit in Colchester.

It was accompanied by hundreds of letters from patients and their families paying tribute to the work of Mr Corr and his team.

Mr Rose said the testimonials would all be read and some would be included in the trust's bid to run the centre of excellence.

NHS guidelines suggest there should one urology cancer surgery centre for every million patients, meaning centres in Colchester or Southend could close. Both health trusts are pushing for their centres to be saved.

Mr Corr said: “We have been provided with a draft of what is envisaged for Essex.

“Now potential bidders will be designing a service which is going to deliver their expectations.”

Bids will include information on how hospitals have previously worked, their workforces and patients’ experiences.

Mr Rose said the Gazette campaign would form part of that.

He added: “We have been overwhelmed by the support of the public – patients, support groups, MPs and the Gazette.

“We will be reading the letters and using the testimonials to show the quality of service.”

Maurice Newbolt, from the North Essex Essex Urology Cancer Support Group, described the public’s support as tremendous.

Mr Rose said if Colchester’s bid was successful, investment would be needed.

The trust is talking to other hospitals about ways to get the best service.

It is due to put its case to NHS England next month.