A NEW scheme bringing health checks directly into local neighbourhoods has showed high demand and strong engagement from residents who do not typically access GP services.

Members of the borough's health and wellbeing board were updated this week on the Thames Freeport Mobile Health Innovation Platform — a pilot programme launched in January to deliver blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests and health advice from a fully equipped mobile clinic.

The "health bus" has just completed its eight‑week trial across Thurrock, Barking and Dagenham and Havering.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting, Thames Freeport representative John Vessey said the project had been delivered at pace, but had already demonstrated "good attendance" and valuable insights into where outreach services could have the biggest impact.

"We worked closely with community pharmacy teams and tried to avoid it becoming just another thing on the GP list," he said. "We're evaluating how this could become a sustainable service, including whether it could support other programmes such as immunisations, or whether private sector partners might run it as part of occupational health in port settings."

The pilot focused on areas with high deprivation, low GP engagement and high levels of undiagnosed conditions. Technology was used to analyse population data and identify locations with strong footfall and the greatest need.

Nub News recently caught up with the health bus in Grays:-

Giving the update with Mr Vessey, Florrie Mayo said the bus had already visited 24 sites and reached more than 420 residents halfway through the pilot — operating at full capacity on every deployment day.

"A lot of people had to be turned away because there wasn't enough space for tests," she said. "What we're seeing is huge demand for these kinds of services."

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Ms Mayo said a significant proportion of users had never previously had an NHS health check and said they would not have sought one without encountering the bus.

The service also reached more men than women — the reverse of typical NHS health‑check trends — and engaged residents who did not usually use local pharmacies.

Pharmacists delivering the checks were also able to promote the "pharmacy first" approach, encouraging residents to seek advice and simple diagnostic support in pharmacies rather than defaulting to GP or A&E services.

An independent evaluation will now assess the health and economic impact of the pilot.