Frequently Asked Questions
We are here to listen but if you have a question that you think other people have already asked, have a look here first.
Is Healthwatch part of the NHS?
No. Healthwatch Thurrock is an independent organisation that is here to represent the views of the people that use health and social care services in the local area.
Who runs Healthwatch Thurrock locally? Are you Thurrock Council?
Healthwatch Thurrock are completly independent from Thurrock Council and all other Health and Social Care Organisations. We are a project managed by Thurrock Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) and report to their board. We also have an advisory board that is made up of members of local voluntary organisations and patient representatives.
Where Can I Find Details of my Local Doctor in Thurrock?
If you are new to the area or would like to change GP you can contact us here at Healthwatch Thurrock and we can give you details of local surgeries or alternatively you can look on NHS Choices website.
Where Can I Find an NHS Dentist in Thurrock?
You can contact us here at Healthwatch Thurrock by calling 01375 389883 or by emailing admin@healthwatchthurrock.org and we can serach for dentists in your area or alternativly you can look on NHS Choices website and put in your postcode and this will give you information of dentists in your area.
Where Can I Complain About my GP in Thurrock?
If you experience a problem with your GP or a member of staff within the surgery your first point of call would be the surgery practice manager who can investigate for you internally.
If you are not happy with the outcome of this you can contact us here at Healthwatch Thurrock and we can listen to your problem and ensure we signpost you to the correct organisation or alternativly GPs are commissioned by NHS England and so they manage their contract so you can contact NHS England direct on 0300 3112233.
How do I find information on local nursing homes or residential care homes in Thurrock?
You can contact us here at Healthwatch Thurrock or you can contact Thurrock Council Adult Social Care Department via their Quickhart website.
How do I contact the Rapid Response Assessment Team or RAS Team in Thurrock in a Crisis?
The Rapid Response Assessment Team are made up of health and social care professionals that work together to keep an individual at home and out of hospital or residential care.
The team can be contacted on 01375 896037 and are available Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and Weekends or Bank Holidays from 9am til 5pm.
Where is the Nearest Out of Hours Pharmacy in Thurrock?
NHS Choices has a list of all Out of Hours Pharmacies and these can be searched for by postcode also.
How do I make a Complaint about my local hospital Basildon Hospital?
Your first point of call when making a complaint about treatment you received at Basildon Hospital would be the Patient Advice and Liasion Service (PALS) based within the hospital. You can contact them via the hospital switchboard or find them based within the main reception area near the hospital restaurant.
You can also contact us at Healthwatch Thurrock, especially if you are not happy with the response from PALS.
Where Can I Get a Blood Test in Thurrock?
Thurrock residents can get their blood tests at a number of locations across Thurrock as well as Basildon Hospital.
Basildon Hospital’s Phlebotomy Department is open Monday to Thursday (7.05am – 6.40pm), Friday (7.05am – 4.40pm) and on Saturday mornings (8.05 – 10.40am) and all appointments are pre-bookable only.
Orsett Hospital blood's test clinic is open Monday to Friday (7.10am – 3.40pm) and has pre-bookable appointments available as well as limited number of walk-in appointments.
Thurrock Community Hospital's blood test clinic is open Monday to Friday (9am to 12 noon) and has walk-in appointments only.
Booking
You can book an appointment at any of the hospitals by clicking on the link below: Book your blood test appointment
You can also book by calling 01702 746065. The number is available Monday to Friday, 7.30am-5pm (excluding UK public holidays).
Blood tests at GP practices
A number of GP practices also hold blood test clinics for a number of days every week. For a full breakdown of the days, times and locations of blood test appointments, click on the link below:
Downloads
Can I Get a GP appointment in Thurrock at the Weekend?
Thurrock now has 4 Health Hubs based across the borough open on a Saturday and Sunday morning from 9am til 12pm offering 12 appointments with a GP and 12 appointments with a Nurse at each hub each day. To book one of these appointments you need to contact your registered GP during the week and as for a weekend appointment at your local weekend hub. Details of the hubs locations are:
Corringham: Neera Medical Centre, Stanford-Le-Hope, SS17 0BY
Tilbury: The Health Centre, London Road, RM18 8EB
Grays: Thurrock Community Hospital, Long Lane, Grays, RM16 2PX
South Ockendon: Purfleet Care Centre, Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, RM19 1SX
Where do I access Medical Support Out of Hours in Thurrock?
In an emergancy situation you should always call 999 but if you do not need an ambulance but require medical assisstance out of hours you can call your registered GP practice who will give details of their out of hours service or you can contact 111 and speak to a trained member of staff who can offer medical advice over the phone and can arrange an appointment with an out of hours practitioner if neccessary.
As a Carer where can I access support in Thurrock?
Cariads is the local support agency for Carers in Thurrock. Thurrock Council's Adult Social Care site Quickhart has information for carers on this as below.
https://mycare.thurrock.gov.uk/cariads-(carers-information-advice-support).aspx
Common Health and Social Care Acronyms
TCCG - Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group
TCRG - Thurrock Clinical Reference Group
SEPT - South Essex Partnership Trust
NELFT - North East London Foundation Trust
CQC - Care Quality Commission
TCVS - Thurrock Council for Voluntary Services
SERICC - South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre
TACC - Thurrock Adult Community College
PALS - Patiant Advice Liasion Service
PPG - Patient Participation Group
CAF - Common Assessment Framework
MAG - Multi Agency Group
TCIL - Thurrock Coalition for Independant Living
MASH - Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
LSCB - Local Safeguarding Childrens Board
TASPB - Thurrock Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board
HOSC - Health Overview and Scrutinity Committee
HWBB - Health and Well Being Board
LAC - Local Area Co-Ordinator
TAA - Thurrock Asian Association
TAG - Thurrock African Group
TRUST - Thurrock Racial Unity Support Taskgroup
HIRC - Hate Incident Reporting Centre
