A NEW mobile health service has begun touring around Thurrock in a bid to spot health problems earlier and ease pressure on overstretched NHS services.
The Thames Freeport Mobile Health Innovation Platform, which launched in January, offers free blood pressure checks and cholesterol tests from a fully equipped bus visiting community and employer sites across the three boroughs.
The pilot ran until March 4, with additional days possible if bad weather or operational issues affected service days.
The scheme targets areas with high deprivation, low GP engagement and significant levels of undiagnosed conditions.
Nationally, more than 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term ill health, and millions more live with conditions such as hypertension and diabetes risk that often go unnoticed until they develop into serious illness.
The programme, which also runs in Barking and Dagenham and Havering aims to test whether a mobile, digitally enabled and pharmacy-led model can help close those gaps.
The service is delivered clinically by a pharmacist and pharmacy technician, who record patient information, carry out health checks and advise on next steps. Patients with high readings may be referred to their GP through the PharmOutcomes system, although pharmacists have been asked to take a “pharmacy first” approach and only involve GPs when clinically necessary.
Each patient receives personalised results on the day, plus access to free behavioural change and condition management apps.
Those with diagnosed long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, COPD or heart disease are offered digital tools to support ongoing management.
Technology also underpins how the bus is deployed. Platforms from ESRI and FourthSpace are being used to analyse need and identify suitable sites, while translation, diagnostic and support tools from several digital health companies have been integrated into the service.
The freeport has supported a number of health and care initiatives over this financial year and last, working in partnerships with local organisations.
The pilot forms part of a wider shift towards prevention, community-based care and the use of digital innovation in health – all priorities highlighted by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
An independent evaluation will assess impact, value for money and whether the model could be rolled out elsewhere.
Supporters say early intervention could reduce hospital admissions, cut NHS costs and help more people stay in work. The pilot is expected to provide new UK specific evidence on the economic and health benefits of prevention when delivered outside traditional clinical settings.
Councillors on Thurrock’s health and wellbeing board will be invited to support the scheme when they meeting on Tuesday.
