COLCHESTER’S MP says the proposed £44 million investment at Colchester Hospital will be “game changing” for the town.

Will Quince, who wrote to healthcare bosses to set out the town’s stall in a bid for it be selected as the home of the joint trust’s new elective care centre, said the announcement was brilliant news for Colchester and north Essex.

“When we entered into the joined trust there was always going to be an element of some services being focused but with this new centre the case was so overwhelming in favour of it being in Colchester, which is why I pushed so hard for it,” he said.

“This investment in the hospital shows how serious we are being taken by the Government and it shows the merger is on the right track. A brand new centre like this costing around £30 million is game changing for our town.”

He added: “It is not quite a done deal, but the fact it is the trust’s preferred option is significant.

Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said: “This is welcome news. It will help Colchester retain and attract the best surgeons.

“This expansion also underlines the Conservatives’ commitment to the NHS. There are plenty of challenges in the NHS, but we will keep expanding it.”