RESIDENTS of North Tawton will be able to share their thoughts on what services they would like at the town's medical practice in the long term.

North Tawton Engagement Group will be holding a public meeting in North Tawton Town Hall next week to review the results of an NHS survey document sent to patients in June, asking what services they would like and need at the practice as a preparation for the allocation of a long-term GP contract at North Tawton from 2016.

In January, Bow Medical Practice signed a one-year contract with NHS England to run North Tawton's practice from the beginning of April 2014 for one year.

The service operates from the pre-existing North Tawton premises and continues to offer the same services as before.

Bow's practice stepped in after Wallingbrook Health Group, which previously ran the practice at Devonshire House, announced it would cease providing care at North Tawton on March 31.

Wallingbrook stated the decision was made due to insufficient funding from the NHS to run a safe and efficient practice.

This public meeting is part of NHS England's efforts to work with local people during 2015 to see what might be needed in the longer term.

Bill Dean, chair of the North Tawton Engagement Group, wanted to see as many people as possible turn up for the meeting. He said: 'Caroline Stead, NHS contracts manager, will be bring along these results and this will be a chance for everybody interested in the future of North Tawton surgery to voice their opinion.'

The meeting takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday, July 30.

Everyone is welcome.