NHS Essex is keen to hear from more people in Thurrock in their survey designed to help shape the future of health and care services in Essex.

Nearly 1,500 people across the whole of Essex have completed a survey so far, sharing their experiences of health and care, with hundreds of responses from Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend.

But NHS Essex Integrated Care Board would like to hear from more people in Thurrock. There is still time to take part and share experiences through the survey at: https://virtualviews.essex.icb.nhs.uk/help-shape-the-future-of-nhs-services-in-essex

Feedback from NHS Essex's survey will help shape the priorities for the next five years and people have until 30 June to have their say. So far, early feedback has covered areas such as:

• People's ability to see a health professional and waiting times
• The impact of issues such as lifestyles, cost of living, mental health and stress on health and wellbeing
• Communication between different services and with patients
• People's ability to navigate through different services.

One resident said: "From my point of view as a deaf person, I find the communication issues a real challenge when speaking to hospitals and doctors.

"Very often, the health service will phone me, say 'I've got your results' or 'I've got your appointment'. And I have told them numerous times, can you put something around the system to say I'm deaf? Can you email me this information? And the system doesn't work, does it."

NHS Essex is keen to hear about more personal experiences just like this.

Tom Abell, Chief Executive for NHS Essex said: "Thank you to all the people that have shared their views to help shape health services locally. We have had a fantastic response to our survey so far.

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"If you haven't had a chance to respond yet, there's still time. The survey is open until 30 June. Your views will help us to understand how people experience health care, give us insight into what is working well and reveal where we need to improve."

Where people live in Essex can have a large effect on lifespan, access to services, health and wellbeing and quality of life. Figures show:

• People could live 12 years longer in some parts of the county.
• Essex has an older population than the national average and it is growing, with 20% of people aged 65 and over.
• Basildon, Harlow and Thurrock have a younger population (under 65) than other parts of Essex.
• Castle Point, Maldon, Rochford, Tendring have older populations (over 65) than other parts of Essex.
• Coastal communities, new towns and larger cities and towns in Essex are in the 20% most deprived communities nationally.

Therefore, it is important NHS Essex hears from people living across the whole of Essex – and views from Thurrock are particularly wanted.

More information about the NHS Essex's Population Health Improvement Plan is available here: https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk/about/icb/health-improvement-plan/