THE Devizes pressure group fighting to keep health services in the town has urged as many people as possible to turn up at the board meeting of the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust on May 22.

It is likely that decisions regarding the future of Devizes Community Hospital will be made at the meeting which takes place in the Assembly Room at Devizes Town Hall, starting at 2pm.

Although members of the public will not be allowed to speak, the committee of DASH2, the re-formed Devizes Action To Save Our Hospital, hopes people will show up in large enough numbers to indicate the strength of feeling in the town to retain the hospital.

Coun Paula Winchcombe, who is due to take on the Mayor's chain of office and the chairmanship of DASH2 tonight, said she is pleased with the dialogue the group has developed with the trust, which has resulted in an extension of the time in which to respond to the consultation on the trust's plans.

Letters have also been sent to Alan Milburn, the Secretary of State for Health, and to the Prime Minister.

The town's MP, Michael Ancram, has also written to Mr Milburn expressing his support and outlining the needs of the town.

Liaison has also taken place with family doctors in the area, through their chairman, Dr Charles Cowen.

Mrs Winchcombe said: "We are grateful that the trust has been able to extend the deadline for our submission and we are pleased that they have chosen to recognise DASH2 as a conduit through which to understand the views of the people of Devizes and its local area."

DASH2's minimum demands for health care in Devizes include a 24-hour minor injuries unit, X-ray facilities, intermediate care beds, a midwife-led maternity unit, a dental clinic and specialist out-patient clinics.