A CONTROVERSIAL decision to close the Thurrock walk-in service based at the Health Centre in Grays was made at a meeting today (Wednesday).
The Governing Body of Thurrock Clinical Commissioning group unanimously decided to close the service on the High Street, which only opened in May 2010.
The future of the service has been at the heart of an intense local political tussle and was a major flashpoint between the candidates to become the Borough’s new MP and those fighting for a place on Thurrock Council.
The decision follows nearly a year of engagement with local communities and stakeholders which included a public consultation which ran from 2 February to 24 March.
CCG chair Dr Anand Deshpande, said: “The decision follows nearly a year of engagement with local communities and stakeholders which included a public consultation which ran from 2 February to 24 March.
“On behalf of the CCG Governing Body I am pleased that we have come to a decision that I feel is the best for all Thurrock residents.
“The service will not close until March 2016; this will give us, along with patient involvement, nine months to consider the most effective way of investing the funds saved from the closure.”
