WHILE the future of health care in Thurrock remains turbulent, with the much-vaunted plans for three more new integrated medical centres (IMCs) to accompany the rcently-opened on at Corringham in disarray, a major new initiative has been announced.

The borough has been chosen as the first place in mid and south Essex to receive a Community Diagnostic Centre, which will be placed on the Thurrock Community Hospital site off Long lane in Grays.

The centres are part of a national initiative to support faster diagnosis and access to tests and scans closer to home. The centre, which is due to open in 2024 will provide a CT Scanner, X-ray, blood tests, ultrasound, MRI Scans and also heart and lung diagnostic tests.

That work is likely to mop up some of the tasks earmarked for the planned IMCs in Grays, Tilbury and Purfleet - adding more static to an already clouded local health provision scenario,.

Qaiser Malik, clinical director and consultant radiologist at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are delighted to be awarded funding to build this centre in Thurrock on behalf of the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System. Thurrock was chosen as the first site as it has some challenges with access to tests and diagnostics. The CDC programme is part of a national initiative to improve better access to diagnostic tests and therefore improve health outcomes.

"There will be a period of public engagement as we go through the planning process and we hope people will be very interested to hear about the plans and give us their thoughts."

The first engagement event will be held on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 8pm at Headon Hall, 18 Crawford Avenue, Grays RM16 2AS. This is a drop in for residents to see the plans and speak to health and care representatives about what the centres will offer.

The announcement about the diagnostic centre from the Truist makes no mention of the IMC project! Last month Thurrock Nub News reported on the latest concerns about financing the ambition to replicate the site at Corringham.