PLANS to tackle a chronic shortage of GPs in Thurrock are underway.

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is set to update councillors on steps that have been taken to increase the primary care workforce and to improve access to primary medical services in Thurrock.

It follows figures which show Thurrock has the highest number of patients per GP in the country. See story here.

The board said latest figures show Thurrock has a shortage of approximately 17 GPs in comparison to the England average.

A report to Thurrock's People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which meets on Tuesday (19 November) shows GP numbers in Thurrock have increased in recent years with overall numbers rising from approximately 76 full time equivalents in October 2021 to 85 in August 2024.

However, the board said "it is recognised that further growth in GP numbers is required.

A flagship fellowship programme within the Thurrock area offered an enhanced scheme to newly qualified GPs taking roles in Thurrock practices.

This has now been put on hold due to national funding being withdrawn but ways to reinstate it are being sought.

The report to Tuesday;s meeting says: "The ICB believes that a key mechanism to sustainably increase GP numbers in Thurrock is to increase the number of GP trainees based in practices within Thurrock. These GP trainees are fully qualified doctors who are training to become a General Practitioners.

"GP trainees will often secure long term roles including partnerships in the practice or local area in which they train. The development of the medical school at Anglia Ruskin University has increased the number of newly qualified doctors seeking roles within Essex."

Cllr Mark Hooper, the cabinet portfolio holder responsible for health and wellbeing, said: "I am happy to see that work is taking place to increase GP numbers. We welcome anything that can help improve access to GPs. This is an important issue and something we will be monitoring closely on behalf of our residents.

"While this is welcome news, we must not lose sight of the fact that there is still a great deal that must be done to make sure that our residents, and our hard-working GPs and frontline medical staff, are not being failed by inadequate healthcare provision here in Thurrock."

Alongside the increasing numbers of GPs within Thurrock there has also been an increase in the number of other clinicians now working in general practice through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).

The national initiative has provided funding for new roles to Primary Care Networks including physician associates.