The NHS 10 Year Plan: A place based view

Healthwatch Thurrock was commissioned by the Thurrock Integrated Care Alliance to conduct an intensive four week engagement programme to feed into consultations on the NHS 10-Year Plan.  They held three focus groups and a number of engagement sessions, engaging with 511 people in total.

The engagement revealed key concerns about access to primary care, waiting times for hospital treatment, and overstretched mental health services.

The most pressing issue raised was the difficulty in securing GP appointments, with some residents resorting to queuing outside surgeries at 6:30 am. The struggle to access A&E and hospital procedures was also a major concern, with residents fearing that delays in treatment could lead to worsening health conditions. Poor coordination between services further exacerbates the problem, with referrals often taking too long or getting lost in the system. 

There is strong support for bringing more healthcare services into the community, with many believing this would ease pressure on hospitals. However, residents raised concerns about lack of transport options—especially in more rural areas like Bulphan— limiting access to community hubs. The failure to deliver all four promised Integrated Medical and Wellbeing Centres (IMWCs) was also highlighted as a source of frustration, particularly in areas like Tilbury, where residents feel underserved.

The shift towards digital healthcare, including AI scanners and online consultations, has the potential to improve efficiency, but it also risks excluding those without digital access. Many in Thurrock lack the necessary technology or internet access, particularly those in deprived areas or older residents unfamiliar with digital systems.

Language barriers were also cited as an issue, as a significant portion of the community speaks English as a second language. 

Mental health support remains one of the most underfunded and overstretched areas in Thurrock. Residents reported waiting years for ADHD and autism assessments, while others felt that mental health services were not taken as seriously as physical health issues. There was strong demand for greater investment in early intervention and prevention, with calls for better education on mental wellbeing from a young age. 

Residents strongly support a shift towards preventative healthcare, recognising that early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes. However, concerns were raised about the lack of funding and staffing to deliver meaningful change. Many felt that public health campaigns were not enough—residents need affordable access to gyms, wellness activities, and community-led fitness programmes to make real lifestyle changes. 

Thurrock Integrated Care Alliance (TICA) must actively listen to and address these concerns to ensure that the future of local healthcare is not only designed by and for the people of Thurrock but also meaningfully contributes to shaping national healthcare priorities. Place-based feedback is critical in the NHS 10-year plan, as it ensures that healthcare services reflect the unique needs and challenges of local communities. By integrating real experiences and insights from Thurrock residents, TICA can help create more effective, targeted, and sustainable healthcare solutions that align with both local and national objectives.

The NHS’s long-term plan aims to reduce health inequalities, enhance community-based care, and improve patient outcomes, but these goals can only be achieved if local voices are heard and acted upon. Thurrock, like every community, has distinct healthcare pressures—whether it be access to primary care, mental health services, or support for an aging population. By embedding local feedback into policy development, we ensure that national strategies are not one-size-fits-all but instead adaptable to the realities faced by different communities.

 Now, more than ever, it is vital that Thurrock residents contribute to this national conversation, ensuring that the healthcare landscape evolves in a way that prioritises their needs. TICA has a responsibility to act as a bridge between local concerns and national policymaking, championing the voices of those it serves. Only through meaningful engagement and action can we create a healthcare system that is truly responsive, inclusive, and futureproof.