ESSENTIAL support services for cancer sufferers across the district are to be cut as part of the NHS spending squeeze.
West Essex Macmillan Cancer Support and Information Services, which is based in Harlow, helps about 100 cancer victims and their families in Epping Forest.
Patients who seek the organisation’s help are assigned a case officer, who visits them once a week, and volunteer workers are often available to help sufferers daily.
But NHS funding will stop, it has been announced.
Three staff members at the service stand to lose their jobs and 25 volunteers will also go.
Beryl Chappell, 84, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer four years ago.
After returning from hospital to Lincolns Field in Epping, Macmillan provided Mrs Chappell with funding for a stair lift and other support.
She said: “My support officer rang me last week and said she needed to come and see me to tell me something. She came and said there was not going to be a support service at Harlow any more.
“What is left for us? A few leaflets, a visit to our GP to wait three weeks for a ten minute slot to talk to someone who cannot know what we are going through.
“Who are they to write us off with a flick of their pen?
“There are a lot of cancer sufferers in the area and they are all going to lose out.
“They help in so many ways, with people like me who live on their own it is someone who comes round who you can have a chat with.”
Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing said: “I am very surprised and very sorry to hear this because I know what an excellent service Macmillan provides through their nurses and their counsellors.
“I also know how hard local people work to raise money for Macmillan, which they raise a very considerable amount of.”
A spokeswoman for Macmillan cancer support said: “Macmillan Cancer Support is very concerned with the current situation regarding the West Essex Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service and is seeking a meeting with the Trust to discuss the service.
"The West Essex Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service has been very successful currently supporting over 200 families.
"We are urging those involved to do all they can so this very important service can remain in supporting those affected by cancer in Harlow and the surrounding areas.”
NHS spokeswoman Wendy Smith said: “There was some support being given [by Macmillan] beyond the scope of what the NHS would normally provide.
“Macmillan will continue to provide health information and advice for people with cancer.
“We are looking at reducing the team by two members and will be beginning a consultation with staff to see if a role can be found for them elsewhere in the organisation.”
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