Proposals for changes to health services including the future of those currently provided at Orsett Hospital were considered by the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee at a meeting on January 18.

A consultation was launched at the end of last year by Mid and South Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on behalf of NHS England, with wide-reaching plans for services provided by hospitals across the area, including Thurrock.

The consultation, which runs until March 9, includes plans for four new Integrated Medical Centres across the borough and seeks public opinion on services being provided there instead of from Orsett Hospital as they are now.

Speaking after the meeting, Committee Chair, Councillor Graham Snell, said: "The direction of travel set out in the consultation is a positive one – services provided in one place closer to where people live.

"The committee was reassured to hear from NHS colleagues that services will not leave Orsett Hospital until they are provided within the new Integrated Medical Centres and that there is an opportunity for the community to shape how this will work in practice.

"There are public meetings and other focused discussions planned as well as opportunities to feedback to the consultation online. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunities offered to have their say on the future of these services for local people."

To have your say, go to www.nhsmidandsouthessex.co.uk The next public meeting will be held on January 24, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, at Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays