Supporting health care needs across Colchester and Tendring

A primary care company which supports the interests of more than 360,000 patients across northeast Essex has moved to Parkside on the University’s Knowledge Gateway to work with like-minded businesses and researchers focused on health issues.

Founded in 2014, GP Primary Choice is owned by 32 GP practices in Colchester and Tendring and works to ensure general practice services ranging from mental health support and social care to blood testing are delivered in the best interests of patients.

Chief Executive Officer Joanne Sunderland explained: “Everything we do is to benefit primary care services and patient choice.

“We have expanded and needed larger office space. With the planned focus on businesses providing health and wellbeing services on Parkside, we thought it would be a good place to be and we could work with other groups to address health needs.”

GP Primary Choice moved to Parkside after discussing their needs and the future plans for Parkside with Jamie Burns, Head of Operations for the Knowledge Gateway.

With their service focused on Colchester and Tendring, a move out of Colchester town centre to the University campus was ideal. “We turn left for Colchester and right for Tendring so the location is perfect,” said Joanne. “We looked at several different venues and this had everything we needed. It is a great benefit that we can go out for a walk in the parkland around campus when we take a break.”

GP Primary Choice has already worked with the University which is carrying out the evaluation on a strength and balance service which has been rolled out in North East Essex. This is a collaborative service alongside colleagues in East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) and the voluntary sector. It helps to sustain and increase independent healthy lifestyles and increased activity among people at risk of falling.

The company provides a number of key services, including GP Care Advisors who help individuals and their carers to access social care, welfare benefits, specialist equipment and other services, which helps them to maintain their independence at home.

The service also runs two blood test sites, in Colchester and Clacton, in response to the increasing demand for blood tests, allowing them to be carried out within required timeframes. A third clinic in Harwich is due to be set up in the coming months.