Harold Hill is set to receive a massive Health boost, with a planned development at the health centre in Gooshays Drive described as "potentially the biggest the borough of Havering has ever seen."

The proposals are part of the Barking and Havering Health Authority's health improvement programme, which pledges to introduce 19 'new and improved GP surgeries' in the area within the next year.

But the public is being kept guessing on its exact plans, with a spokesman saying only: "A major development is being planned for the Harold Hill Health Centre that is potentially the biggest the borough of Havering has ever seen.

"As the project is at such an early stage, we are not able to give any more details at present.

"As soon as there is something more concrete to say we will let the public know what is being proposed for the site.

And the spokesman added: "They will also be fully consulted and allowed to have their say before details of the project are finalised."

The programme also outlines plans to recruit more GPs into the area over the next year, release more money to doctors to prescribe new drugs, and launch a public information campaign on how to prevent heart disease.

It also hopes to immunise 90 per cent of all children in Barking, Dagenham and Havering before they reach school age.

The Hill could also benefit from the introduction of a new Healthy Living Centre if the BHHA's bid for lottery funds is successful.

It has applied for funding, through the government's New Opportunities project, for a five-year programme targeting the areas of highest need within each Primary Care Group (PCG) in its area, which includes Harold Hill.

It will learn next month if the bid will go through to the second round of applications.

If successful, a team of community development workers will spend a year working in each of the five PCGs - which are based on parliamentary constituencies - with Harold Hill second in turn after Barking's Gascoigne and Abbey estates.

The BHHA's John Connor explained: "Their work will be directed by a steering group formed by people within the community.

"They will generate new initiatives, looking at health issues and issues which affect people's quality of life, such as public transport, clean air, domestic violence, reducing stress, and so on.

"The aim of community development workers is to engage community members in education programmes to identify their own needs and enable the community to develop its own response."

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