A new internet Health scheme is bidding for £1.5 million of lottery funding.

Called the Colne Valley Healthy Living Project, it is based on teams of staff with laptop computers which can connect to the internet.

Each member of the team will get direct access to people and information in any of the partner organisations from the home of the person being visited.

The main emphasis will be on the rural areas, which make up nearly half of Braintree district.

Ten organisations have joined together to bid for the money to support the development of the project throughout Braintree district.

The ten organisations were due to sign the bid document at Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree today (Thursday).

John Kotz, Braintree Council's lead member for health, said: "The partnership has shown that by working together, information technology can be developed within the district to the benefit of everyone - especially the most vulnerable.

"Braintree Council is proud to have led this partnership and I hope it will continue to use its combined strength to improve the health and well being of everyone."

The ten organisations involved are: Braintree Council, Essex County Council's Social Services, Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust, Rural Community Council of Essex, Braintree District Voluntary Support Agency, Essex University, North Essex Adult Community College, North Essex Mental Health and Partnership NHS Trust, Witham, Braintree and Halstead Primary Care Group and the League of Friends of Halstead Hospital.

By Martin Buxton

Reporter's e-mail: martin_buxton@thisisessex.co.uk

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