A group which is responsible for buying the majority of healthcare for people in Dover and Deal is holding its meeting in public for the first time.

But despite saying they want people to attend, the group sent out the information too late for it to be included in this week's local newspapers.

The governing body of the NHS South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said they wanted to give people the chance to hear first-hand about the group's plans.

But the press release was issued this afternoon, after the deadline for this week's editions of the newspapers, and next week's will be published after the meeting has taken place.

The meeting takes place on Wednesday May 22 in The Ark at Noah's Ark Road, Dover, CT17 0DD. Members of the public will be able to attend the meeting from 3-5pm.

The group has taken over the commissioning of most of the healthcare for the 199,000 people living in Dover and Shepway districts.

NHS South Kent Coast CCG Clinical Chairman, Dr Darren Cocker, said: “Local GPs have an in-depth knowledge of the needs of the local community, and future healthcare priorities.

“With the responsibility for a budget of £253 million, we at the CCG have already identified many priorities, such as improving ophthalmology services, better management of type 2 diabetes, improving education for care home staff, and improving access to community-based mental health services.

“We will also be working on the significant improvements that we’ve made to joined-up care for elderly people with complex needs.

“Many of these are complex issues that reach out across all strands of the community, and have the potential to affect everyone. Naturally, because of this, we’d very much like to see local people come to our very first meeting in public. There will be opportunity to ask questions; the meeting should prove to be informative and interesting for all who come along.”

The relevant papers for this and future meetings will be available on the CCG's website

For more information about attending the meeting in public, local people should call 03000 424700 or email southkentcoast.ccg@nhs.net