In a bid to secure suitable healthcare for the town, an action group has been created to represent the town and respond to a recent statement from NHS bosses.

The action group were not satisfied with the statement from the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group which said Dartmouth and Kingswear Hospital would not reopen and sufficient health care was already available in the town.

The group, called the Dartmouth Healthcare Action Group, concluded the content did not quell the communities’ serious concerns about healthcare provision now and for the future in the town.

It was agreed a short reply to this effect would be delivered by county and district councillor Jonathan Hawkins at a meeting on Wednesday, May 30, with MP Sarah Wollaston.

Further discussions resulted in the agreement that the group should try to get full support from Dr Wollaston and other groups such as Dartmouth Caring and the PPG.

In addition, the DHAG said they would put a well-considered case to the NHS Trust and the CCG of how the needs of the community could be met.

Michael Mills, elected as chairman, said that all meetings would be filmed for social media and all members of the community would be welcome to attend. Clare Thorp was elected as secretary and it was decided that John Walker would handle all publicity matters.

Additionally, it was decided that the group must have legitimacy and would seek a mandate to represent the town at a town meeting on Monday, June 11, at 7pm at St Saviours Church. A survey would also be created to decipher the views of the community. After details have been finalised, a petition would also be organised to present to Sarah Wollaston.

Lastly, Cllr Hawkins was asked to request certain information from the Trust including plans for the hospital site, the latest building condition report, hospital costs, staff numbers and statistics over the past five years.