PEOPLE with disabilities are struggling to access GP surgeries - despite laws to improve access to all public buildings being put in place more than ten years ago.

The Disability Discrimination Act came into force in 1995 and aimed to improve equality and access to everything from employment and education, to buildings and transport.

Public buildings like doctor surgeries, need to be accessible, although the authorities responsible for them are keeping people in the dark about how many are compliant with the act.

When the Echo asked South East Essex Primary Care Trust for a list of its fully compliant clinics and practices, we were told they had been surveyed and results were being collated.

Southend Access Group has offered its services and expertise to the healthcare trust to ensure they are fully accessible for people with any disability or impairment. However, its offer has been turned down.

Vice chairman Ron Alexander believes while some surgeries are adequate, others in former terraced houses are not meeting even minimum requirements.

He said: "Unfortunately, authorities seem to use the tape measure test and think that will do.

"They think putting in a slope is enough - but it's not. What if you can't get in the door because it's not wide enough?

"We have offered to help the primary care trust, especially in surveying buildings, and in planning new buildings, but have been turned down.

"We can be a critical friend and actually help save the trust money in the long run.

"We'd love to know the accessible surgeries, so I can provide our clients with a list and ensure they can get access."

Southend has about 40,000 people with disabilities, which vary from long-term conditions and illnesses to impairments like blindness, deafness, learning difficulties or mental health issues.

Mr Alexander said problems arise not only from physical access to a building, but also its position and location.

For example, Kent Elms clinic in Eastwood is difficult to reach for people south of the A127 because the footbridge to cross the busy road is stepped.

Mr Alexander, who has been a wheelchair user himself for 12 years, said: "It is impossible to use the footbridge in a wheelchair. People risk their lives and cross the road.

"One lady who has contacted us is having problems because she has three surgeries near her and is unable to walk to them. So she must use her car, but then the closest one has nowhere to park.

"The trust needs to think even if one of its buildings is accessible, how will people get to that door?

"It's not only about disabled people, it can be a mother with a pushchair, a frail elderly person or someone who has learning disabilities. Surgeries need to prioritise access and also communication with their patients."

The primary care trust has a project reviewing local NHS premises to see which are fit for use and which need upgrading or replacing. It says some premises can never be fully compliant due to structural constraints.

Trust bosses say these will need to be replaced by new premises, to a standard such as the Leigh Primary Care Centre and Central Canvey Primary Care Centre.

Paul Ilett, spokesman for South East Essex Primary Care Trust, said: "We are currently awaiting the results of a survey which will show how many premises in south east Essex comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

"Once this survey is complete, we will agree a full action plan which will address all issues highlighted for each building."

He warned practices which are owned or directly leased by GP practices are the responsibility of that practice.

However, Mr Alexander said: "After 22 years involved with disability issues, and 12 of those as a disabled person, I still feel there is much to do. These things can be put right, but public bodies keep putting a pound sign in front of it. It is very frustrating and should not come to that.

"Equality for all will not be achieved by 2025, as set out in the Disability Discrimation Act, unless people in Government and local authorities start to act now."