PEOPLE in parts of Pitsea and Vange are likely to die as much as to seven years earlier than residents elsewhere in the district.

That is the shock finding in a report commissioned by NHS South West Essex and Essex County Council, Health consultant Turning Point, which was paid £250,000 for the study, said Pitsea and Vange residents should have access to advisers who can point them in the right direction of health and social services.

It suggests hiring a local worker to visit Pitsea Leisure Centre, use a bus or other venues and hold the drop-in sessions. Ricky McCarthy, of Thorolds, Vange, was one of the community-based researchers hired by Turning Point for the project.

He said: “Some people are isolated in the community and don’t always know they have access to services from GPs and other places.

“One of the most important things is to make sure people get the right service first time.”

The group also reported many residents in Pitsea and Vange feel they have no say on what happens in their area and are pessimistic about the future development of Pitsea and Vange.

It said information about council and health services should be available at one place, while residents should be able to influence the spending of local NHS budgets.

Mr McCarthy said NHS South West Essex told the group there was not enough money to fund a community worker.

But now the researchers, including Mr McCarthy, are planning to form a new committee to try and find funding for the scheme.

Keith Bobbin, a Basildon councillor for Pitsea North West, approved of the idea of a community worker.

He said: “If you get somebody who is responsible they can open up new doors to people, so I think someone should be paid for that job.”