CONCERNED patients have started a campaign to save one of the busiest surgical wards in Southend Hospital.

The Echo revealed last Thursday the George Foster Taylor ward would be closing in April as part of planned cuts. It will follow the closure of the Princess Anne ward last July.

However, worried former patients are determined to do all they can to keep the popular 25-bed female-only ward up and running.

A petition is being put together and will be presented to hospital bosses.

Former patient Sarah Hammond, 42, of Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff, is spearheading the campaign.

Ms Hammond, who spent two days in the ward following surgery in 2007, said: “The staff there were so attentive to me and had such a nice attitude, and what made a difference was they took a personal interest in you.

“I was quite upset when I found out about the closure and I can’t understand the reason behind closing it. It needs to be kept.

“I want to help save it in any way I can.”

The 26-strong team of staff running the ward have been reassured their jobs will be saved and they will be redeployed throughout the hospital.

Virginia Wade Bain, 69, from Rochford, was cared for on the ward after a breast cancer operation in June.

She said: “The nursing staff there are brilliant and they built up such a good rapport with me while I was there for two weeks.

“Even though it is such a busy ward, every day they still come and chat to you and they even bring you cups of tea in the middle of the night.

“It is very special there and I feel very upset by the news.”

Christina Daniell, 57, from Hambro Hill, Rayleigh, who had major abdominal surgery and recuperated there in 2007, added: “I feel very passionate about it.

“Everybody praises the staff when they go there and I have built up relationships through it.

“I want to do all I can to save it.”