THURROCK Councillors and health experts rounded on Thurrock GPs over the on-going scandal of lack of health checks for people with learning difficulties (LDs).
After a presentation by the the head of the Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group Mandy Ansell, councillors and officers rounded on the under-fire boss over an issue that many experts believe could be costing the lives of the most vulnerable in Thurrock.
The whole debate at the Health and Well-Being Committee of Thurrock Council can be seen in our film.
Cllr Yash Gupta looked at the stats and noted that three surgeries in his ward, Grays Thurrock are no longer "signed up" for undertaking health checks for people with LDs.
Cllr James Halden was most vocal during the meeting and asked if there was a way that these doctors could be reported to the General Medical Council.
He said: "Surely, there is a moral responsibility to do these checks.
Cllr Halden then added: "And have I got this right. Even the chair of the Thurrock CCG, Dr Anand Deshpande is refusing to do these health checks. Surely he should be leading by example."
The Director of Pubic Health, Ian Wake was equally direct.
"It seems to me that year after year after year, you keep coming back with these dreadful statistics.
Southend is at 61%, Rockford is at 51% but Thurrock is at 17% but for all your plans you seem to be nowhere nearer finding a solution."
Mr Wake then dealt the killer blow when he said to Ms Ansell and Mr MacIntyre: "So this has been happening year on year and you tell us about a conversation you had about ninety minutes ago about how you could improve things….This strikes me as very complacent."
Cllr Charlie Key asked the CCG what were the main reasons for doctors not doing their checks.
CCG officer, Alasdair MacIntyre said: "I guess they don’t see it as a priority."
Portfolio holder for Adult Social Care, cllr Barbara Rice said: "If I acted like this in my job I would be thrown out. This is totally unacceptable and has to change."
