WORKS on a new medical centre are under way, with bosses branding it a major step forward in improving health, social and community services in Thurrock.

Building work has begun on the new Integrated Medical Centre in Corringham.

To mark the start of building works, leaders from the Thurrock Integrated Care Partnership – which includes the NHS, Thurrock Council and the voluntary sector – invited Corringham residents, staff and parents of Graham James Primary Academy and councillors to an online event to find out more about the building works and what services the centre will provide when it opens next year.

Stephanie Dawe, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Integrated Care for Essex and Kent, NELFT, said: “The new medical centre will be at the heart of the community, so the virtual engagement event was a great opportunity for us to tell residents what services Corringham IMC will provide, and how we are ensuring local people are kept safe and updated during the building works.

“There were a number of questions from the public on the safety of the building works, parking and transport, and why we’re building integrated medical centres, and we had a panel of people behind the programme on hand to answer. We will be holding more engagement events in the future – and we hope some of them can be in person once Covid restrictions have lifted – so please keep an eye on the Better Care Together website for the latest news on the project.”

Due to open its doors to the community in spring 2022, Corringham IMC is one of four new medical centres being created across Thurrock as part of the Better Care Together Thurrock transformation programme, led by the Thurrock Integrated Care Partnership.

These new centres will not only transform health and social care services in the area, but will improve GP waiting times, reduce the number of people needing to be admitted to hospital, and future proof these services for a growing population.

The centre will be home to a range of health and social care services including adults and children’s mental health services, GP services, blood testing and general outpatient services.