Health inequality in North Devon will be the focus of a special public meeting next month.

North Devon Council's Policy Development Committee has invited a range of local stakeholders to a public meeting which will take place on Thursday, 10 July 2025.

The meeting will focus on physical health and some of the issues in North Devon, such as access to GPs for those in rural communities, and poor health outcomes in deprived areas. It is hoped the meeting will explore potential ways in which the council can offer support. 

The panel will be made up of representatives, including: 

• Steve Brown, Director of Public Health and Communities at Devon County Council
• Amanda Howard, Chief Executive of Age Concern Barnstaple and North Devon
• Dave Gregory, Farming Community Network and Macmillan Programme Officer (South West)
• Abi Gascoyne, Healthwatch Devon and Torbay Coordinator
• Maria Hosegood, representing rural GP practices
• Bethany Davies, Caseworker for Ian Roome MP
• Harrison Perrin, Pharmacy Manager, Ilfracombe

Councillor Sara Wilson, Group Lead for Health Inequality on North Devon Council's Policy Development Committee, said: "The health and wellbeing of our communities is very important to us, and we want to gain a deeper understanding of the issues that affect our residents and some of the barriers when accessing healthcare.

"These are complex issues that cannot be tackled by one body alone, so we want to identify any actions we can take to improve outcomes for our residents. We look forward to a constructive and positive discussion."

The special Policy Development Committee meeting takes place in the South West Institute Development Building at Petroc on Thursday, 10 July at 6.45pm.

Questions from councillors to the panel and their respective answers will be available with the agenda on Tuesday, 1 July.