We did it! Cancer centre appears set to stay in Southend after Echo campaign

An expert panel has recommended urology cancer surgery services are centralised at Southend Hospital.

The trust has been vying with Colchester Hospital to become the county’s centre of excellence.

Both hospitals currently provide a service, but the National Institute for Clinical Excellence ruled they both serve too few patients.

NHS England’s Oversight Group met in private in Chelmsford yesterday.

The Echo understands they agreed to back a recommendation from independent experts for Southend to take on the service.

Their suggestion will now be forwarded to the NHS England Regional Management Team, which will make the final decision in the autumn.

Dr Haroon Siddique, from Southend Medical Centre, said: “The more services we can provide locally the better. Anything that can increase the reputation and value of a local hospital is a good thing.”

Dr Marimuthu Velmurugan, from the Westborough Road surgery, in Westcliff, welcomed the recommendation but said he was concerned about the impact on patients north of the county.

He said: “I am extremely happy about the decision. We fought for it and now we have won.

“It will really help cancer patients. They can’t drive all the way to Colchester, which is what they would have had to do.

“However, NHS England must see that no one suffers. Although I am happy that the services will be available at Southend, I think the money should be found for Colchester to provide the same services.”

Former councillor Alan Crystall, who was hospital governor for 12 years, said: “It is very good news. Clearly the best team and best location won.”

Lesley Salter, Southend councillor for health and adult social care, added: “Southend does seem to be the ideal site for the specialist services.”

NHS England did not respond when quizzed on the outcome of the secret meeting.

In a statement, the body said: “The Oversight Group is an advisory group with no formal decision making authority and meets as required and in private.

“Their recommendations will go to NHS England and also to a public meeting of the Essex County Council Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

“A decision on whether to accept the recommendation will not take place until the autumn.”

Any decision will be implemented in April 2017.

It is understood the expert panel visited both hospitals on June 14 before making a “clear recommendation.”

Thousands signed petition for centre to stay

THE Echo launched a campaign last year to save Southend’s urology service.

Patients would have faced a 100-mile round trip if they had to go to Colchester Hospital for treatment.

Our readers backed the campaign, with more than 2,300 people signing an Echo petition to keep the centre, which treats people who have cancer of the kidneys, bladder, prostate and testicles, in Southend.

Although it is a victory for south Essex, it is still unclear what the long-term future looks like for our health services. 

The Mid and South Essex Success Regime, one of three introduced by the Government across the country in areas experiencing “deep-rooted, systemic pressures” was recently launched aimed at saving millions of pounds. 

The scheme will see Southend, Basildon and Mid Essex hospitals work closer together and share some services, with others moving into the community, in a bid to save on admin and IT costs and reduce admissions.

One of three hospitals will become a major trauma centre, with A&E departments in the remaining two set to be downgraded to deal with a range of less serious cases such as broken bones.

It means patients could face journeys on the A127 or A130 for treatment to head injuries and life-threatening wounds.