NEARLY 400 people have signed a petition calling for vital specialist cancer surgery to remain in Southend.

Plans have been announced to close one of Essex’s two surgical units in Southend and Colchester which offer specialist surgery to patients with cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate and testicles.

Under newGovernment guidelines, only one surgery unit for complex open or keyhole surgery on the kidney, bladder or prostate, is needed per one million people.

Some 384 people have already signed the Echo’s petition to keep both units open and this vital service local.

David Harrison, a prostate cancer survivor and now a Ukip councillor in Wickford, is backing the campaign after the help he received.

He said: “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2009, and referred to Southend Hospital Consultant urologist Tom Carr.

Because of him, I decided to have the prostate removed.

“I cannot praise the treatment and the aftercare I received by him and the nursing staff highly enough, but also the continued follow-up treatment and even now the appointments to keep a check on the outcome.

“If the service had not been there, I might not be here today.

“I fully support the Echo campaign.

It would be absolutely criminal if this service was taken away from south Essex. It also serves the area that I represent on Basildon Council.

“All politicians both local and national, of all parties, should unite to prevent this happening.

“Both services are vital, I have a relative from Clacton who is being treated by the urology unit in Colchester at the moment, and it is extremely important to residents in north Essex.”

Fellow survivor Gordon Tidman, 83, from Eastwood is also backing the Echo’s campaign.

He underwent surgery at Southend Hospital after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004 and superficial bladder cancer in 2008 and again 2012.

Mr Tidman said: “I can’t understand the thinking behind it. It is easier to get to London than it is to get to Colchester.

Both units need to stay open.

The treatment I received in Southend was second to none, I can’t praise it enough.”

Politicians from all parties as well as doctors and residents are backing the Echo’s campaign.

To sign our petition visit: https://www.change.org/p/national-national-institute-for-health-and-care-excellence-save-southend-s-specialist-urological-cancer-service