A new healthcare company has been chosen by NHS England to provide services at three medical centres in Thurrock.

NHS England announced that College Health Limited has been identified as the preferred bidder to provide primary care services to registered patients of the Shehadeh Medical Centre, Grays, the Shehadeh Medical Centre, Tilbury and St Clements Health Centre, Grays.

Following a procurement process, NHS England has awarded a three-year contract to College Health Limited for services at these three centres.

The contracts have the option to extend the term for a further two years.

Earlier this year, a consultation with patients of the Shehadeh Medical Centres was carried out regarding changing the names of the two practices. 

This is because the practices were named after a GP who retired several years ago. The two most popular name suggestions amongst patients who took part in the consultation have been chosen. 

The new names for these surgeries are the Shehadeh Medical Centre in Grays will now be called Oddfellows Hall Health Centre. The Shehadeh Medical Centre in Tilbury will now be called The Commonwealth Health Centre

As part of the procurement process, NHS England had also invited bids to provide GP services at East Tilbury and Corringham Medical Practice. 

Unfortunately, on this occasion it was not possible for NHS England to identify a preferred bidder.

However, NHS England has agreed with the current provider, College Health Ltd, to extend the temporary arrangement whilst a longer term solution is sought.

NHS England intends to re-procure services for patients of this practice and is not proposing to close the surgery.

All patients have been informed of these changes and have been advised to contact their GP surgery or Healthwatch Thurrock if they have any questions.

Patients will have access to the same services as they currently do throughout any transition periods.