A NEW health forum aimed at influencing local NHS services is meeting in the Tavistock area for the first time this month.
The Patient and Public Involvement Forum (PPIF) for South Hams and West Devon has been set up as part of an NHS wide initiative to give people more say over how healthcare is organised and delivered.
The group, made up of local volunteers, will focus on the services provided by the South Hams and West Devon Primary Care Trust.
This includes Tavistock Hospital and Tavistock Clinic, as well as local community nursing and therapy services and NHS services provided by local GPs and pharmacies.
Spokesman Peter Hildrew said: ?We have begun looking at a number of issues including hospital discharge arrangements, GP out-of-hours services and access to NHS dentists, but we would be most interested to hear from people in the Tavistock area about concerns they may have and improvements they would like to see.
?As a new body with access to NHS decision makers we can give an added voice to local representation about health issues. We are also keen to encourage more people to apply to become forum members so that we can widen our activities.?
The first meeting on Monday September 27 is open to everyone and is being held at Tavistock Town Hall beginning at 2pm.