Amess joins the fight to save Southend Cancer Centre

9th February 2006

Today, David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, joined with other Essex MPs to refresh the campaign to save the Southend Cancer Centre that is once again under threat from NHS reorganisation plans.

Speaking in support of the new campaign David said,

'Three years ago I and my other Parliamentary colleagues from South Essex made the case for the Cancer Centre to remain at Southend Hospital and it is very unfortunate that we have had to re-new our efforts today. The centre, and indeed the whole of the South Essex cancer network, provides an essential service to cancer sufferers in the area, many of which would be unable to travel to neighbouring counties to receive the treatment and support that they need. We were successful in convincing the Government and the Cancer Tsar, Professor Michael Richards then of the necessity to keep the centre open and I am certain that with the support of our constituents that this new campaign headed by my colleague, James Duddridge MP, will prove to be just as effective if the Government and the Strategic Health Authority listen to the arguments being made for the retention of this excellent local service."