Patients at Jaywick have stepped up their bid for improved services from their doctor's surgery.

Residents in the resort are still unhappy with the care they are receiving at Green Elms Health Centre - despite efforts by Tendring Primary Care Trust to upgrade the situation

Now Tendring district and Essex county councillor Roy Smith hopes to arrange a follow-up meeting with the Trust for round-the-table talks.

Most of the concerns centre around the lack of permanent GPs and the fact the patients rarely see the same doctor twice.

A petition, signed by 550 people, has been handed in. Mr Smith said he was worried by the situation.

"I thought we were making some headway but when I went round talking to people in the lead-up to the local elections, they were still far from happy," he said.

Mr Smith now wants patients to write in to him with all their various concerns so that he can collate them all for the meeting he hopes to arrange with the Trust.

Tom Stewart, director of health improvement at the Trust, said it was appreciated what patients in Jaywick had been through in recent years and every effort was being made to progress the situation.

"We have put in place an action plan and we are open to talks with Mr Smith whenever it is felt necessary," he said.

Published Tuesday, May 27, 2003

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