THOUGH it has been operating for a few weeks, the official opening of Corringham's new Integrated Medical and Wellbeing Centre took place yesterday (Thursday, 3 November).

The ribbon was cut by deputy Mayor Cllr Sue Little and the ceremony attended by senior health councillors Deb Arnold and Shane Ralph. The two Conservative councillors represent wards served by the new centre on The Sorrells.

Cabinet portfolio holder for adults and health Cllr Arnold, who represents Corringham and Fobbing ward, said: "Finally we are beginning to turn the tide and improve primary care across the borough.

"It is great to see everybody working together to provide Thurrock residents with a better, more local service. Our focus on improving both health and wellbeing and being based within communities means that residents can access help closer and faster."

"I would also like to thank Cllr Shane Ralph (Stanford East & Corringham Town), who chairs the health overview and scrutiny committee at the council, for his hard work and dedication to improving access to quality primary health care for people in East Thurrock."

"Of course, there's still some work to do to improve primary care for our residents. But this is a great step and will improve healthcare outcomes in our community."

Cllrs Shane Ralph and Deb Arnold at the opening ceremony.

Fellow Conservative Cllr Little said: "It was a real pleasure to open the first of our integrated and wellbeing hubs today in Corringham."

The centre is already gaining plaudits on local media for a friendly welcome and caring staff,  with the blood test service picking up particular praise.

However, as with every bouquet, there is often a brickbat, and many local residents are complaining about the fact that local streets are now being packed with the vehicles of staff who work at the centre.

This was a problem foreseen by many, especially when it was announced that staff would not be allowed to use the relatively small car park, but those concerns were offset by planning travel plan' that suggested staff would walk, cycle or travel by public transport rather than by car.

Given the weight of numbers of local complaints on social media, that appears not to be the case!.