RESIDENTS in Thurrock are being urged to take part in a consultation which would see a local health services provider merge with its neighbours to form a much wider organisation across Essex.

Currently Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group is the organisation that 'buys' in health services across the borough. It is based in Thurrock and composed of a panel including local doctors. In the last available financial year it spent £217 million on health care in Thurrock.

Under the proposals being considered, Thurrock and the groups in Basildon & Brentwood, Castle Point & Rochford, Mid Essex and Southend would merge into one body.

You can read the full proposal at Full proposal

It would be the second major change to health care providers in Thurrock in a short number of years. In 2013 the CCQ was formed to take over from Thurrock Primary Care Trust in a shake-up that at the time was said to be the best way forward, transferring more power to local GPs.

The chairs of the five CCGs have issued the following statement: "As chairs of the five NHS CCGs in Mid and South Essex it is our job to ensure that the CCGs continue to deliver their statutory duty to engage with patients and the public and involve you in decisions about your care.

"We want to ensure that the local population have a say in the way we develop into the future. We are keen to hear your views on proposed changes to the way we provide health and care for the people in our communities.

"Please get involved by completing the survey or attending any meetings open to the public such as patient reference groups or CCG Governing Body meetings.

"We encourage you to make your voice heard. The views of our partners and local people will be considered when developing our potential merger plans, and will be discussed at CCG Governing Body meetings and wider Council, Health and Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Residents are being invited to have their say on the merger until 5 April. An online survey is available at: Survey

Alternatively, to request a hard copy or another accessible format of the survey email: [email protected], or call 01375 365 810.

There will be an opportunity to attend a public meeting in Thurrock later this month to contribute to the debate and learn more about the merger. It will be at the Beehive Resource Centre on the High Street in Grays on Tuesday, 17 March.

A spokesperson for the CCG said: "Everyone is welcome to attend and there will be an opportunity to share with us your views, including an anonymous survey. Please feel free to join us from 5pm to 6.30pm."