THE Home Secretary has backed calls for a new £30 million orthopaedic centre to be built at Colchester Hospital.

East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust is set to consult on plans to create the specialist surgery centre in a bid to cut down on waiting times.

The new centre will be funded by part of a record £69.3 million investment programme at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals.

Colchester MP Will Quince has already called on hospital chief executive Nick Hulme to ensure the unit is built in Colchester.

He argued the accessibility of the town’s hospital makes it “the obvious choice.”

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

His view has been echoed by Witham MP and Home Secretary Priti Patel, who argued patients in her constituency would have to travel too far for treatment if the centre is built at Ipswich.

She said: “In my constituency there is no hospital or other significant outpatient service and it would be disappointing if my constituents had to travel even further to access vital health services.

“If the new orthopaedic centre was based in Ipswich, my constituents would have to travel more than 20 miles to attend an appointment, which would be difficult for a number of patients, especially those who have limited access to appropriate transport services.”

The new centre will have at least 54 beds matching the existing number in both hospitals.

About 1,500 orthopaedic operations take place at both hospitals each year.

A 12-week public consultation is set to open early next year over the plans.

Ms Patel added: “I have made it clear to the chief executive they must carefully consider travel implications for patients and staff following the centralisation of services.

“They must provide appropriate transport services for those who have to travel further to the new centre for their operations.

“A consultation on these proposals is due to be launched next year and I would encourage my constituents to respond.”

The trust’s plans will go through scrutiny committees on both Colchester and Ipswich councils.