THURROCK MP Jackie Doyle-Price has backed proposals to close the walk-in health centre in Grays High Street.

A consultation looking at future options for the Thurrock Health Centre suggests that closing the centre would save money and residents in place such as Corringham would be encouraged to visit their GP first, providing closer and quicker access to medical help.

Other options included in the consultation are keeping the service as it is, or opening for fewer hours. The GP practice at the centre wouldn’t be affected by a closure.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “The CCG have proposed the closure of the walk-in service because it doesn’t serve all our community. If you live in South Ockendon, you don’t want to come to Grays to attend the walk in service. You want access to services locally.

“The closure will enable additional services in Corringham, Grays, South Ockendon and Tilbury. I am all in favour of strengthening services where people need to access them. The fact is that residents outside Grays are being short-changed by a walk-in service that doesn’t support them.”

She added: “We have much to do to improve the service offered by some of our GPs, but I am confident that what is proposed here will lead to better services for all people across Thurrock.”

To take part in the consultation, which closes on March 24, visit http://thurrockccg.nhs.uk/public-consultations