New cancer treatment centre opens

A new specialist centre to treat cancer patients has opened at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital in Essex.

Patients from parts of Suffolk and Essex with oesophageal or stomach cancer will now be treated at the centre by three leading consultants.

Hospital spokeswoman Clare Langslow, said it meant patients who needed surgery would be seen by specialists.

The Broomfield Hospital was chosen as the site for the centre by the Mid Anglia Cancer Network.

The network provides treatment for patients in East Suffolk, North East Essex and Mid Essex.

The surgical team consists of Michael Harvey and Sri Kadirkamanathan, both based at Broomfield, and Don Menzies who is based in Colchester but will operate at the Chelmsford centre.

Mr Harvey said: ''The new arrangements will mean some patients having to travel further for their surgery.

"However as a result they will benefit from the expertise that only a centralised cancer service can provide.

"The three surgeons from the centre will be working closely with colleagues in Colchester and Ipswich to ensure that the care their patients receive will be the best and most up to date that can be provided.''