4:50pm Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Emma Palmer
PATIENTS in Basildon and Thurrock will soon have access to GP care on demand 12 hours a day.
The new Thurrock Health Centre, in Grays, will be open from 8am until 8pm, seven days a week, from the end of this month.
Regardless of where they live ,or which GP they are registered with, patients will be able to go seek treatment at the centre. They will then be able to see a doctor or a practice nurse without an appointment.
Marc Davis, director of primary and community care for NHS South West Essex, which is behind the scheme, described the service as a huge step forward in healthcare. He said: “For the first time, we’ll have a practice open seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
“It will significantly improve access to primary care for everyone in the area – whether they are local residents, whether they work or study in the town, or are just passing through.
“There will be no restrictions on who can access services, which is simply great news for patients.”
He added: “If patients can get to see a doctor or nurse at a time and place which is convenient to them, we have a better chance of diagnosing conditions early.
“Also, we can encourage patients to attend screenings and immunisations and support them over the longer term to help them live healthier lives.”
Initially, the service will be offered at the the old Grays Health Centre, in Brooke Road.
However, the practice will be moving to new premises on the former Woolworths store site, in Grays High Street, from May.
With the move, a wider range of primary care services will be offered, more details of which will be released shortly.
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