Devizes Health Matters (DHM) has agreed to join the Devizes Community Area Partnership (DCAP) as its health and wellbeing interest group.

This agreement follows the precedent set last year when the Sustainable Devizes Network agreed to act as DCAP’s environment interest group.

Tony Sedgwick, chairman of DCAP, said: “Although small, DHM is already working with the new Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure the best possible outcome for the area.

“Operating from within DCAP will help both parties to achieve our common goal of improving healthcare provision and the wellbeing of our ageing population.”

Judy Rose, co-ordinator of DHM, said: “Lack of health services have been a huge issue for the Devizes area since the creation of the Primary Care Trust in 2001. So the prospect of meaningful engagement with the new CCG is an exciting opportunity. Being part of DCAP makes sense in every way, providing the group with greater authority to speak for the community, and giving support to us when working with the CCG.”