SOUTH West Essex Primary Care Trust have launched a major information and consultation programme, Improving Lives, which aims to involve residents in planning health care developments across the area.

The Improving Lives programme involves a series of public meetings and town centre displays.

Participants will be able to meet senior PCT staff and take part in discussions about future health developments.

Trust Chair, Thurrock councillor Val Liddiard, said: "Since the PCT was established last October we have been working with local people to ensure that services really do reflect their wants and needs and we are now at a stage where we can move forward with that work in earnest."

Chief Executive, Pam Court added: "The South West Essex PCT has undertaken a huge amount of work to look at how we can improve health services and facilities in South West Essex.

"Local people have already given us their views on new health facilities and we now want to move this work forward.

"We will be using the consultation to let people know how we are making progress.

"However we believe there are some really exciting opportunities to work with local people to improve the health of our community and we want to hear how they think we can progress these."

Thurrock's meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 24 from 12noon to 2.30pm at the Civic Hall, Blackshots, and will be a public meeting with discussion groups.