As Healthwatch Wiltshire called on residents to have their say on what they want from the facilities, it has sparked a wider conversation about what the new health care facilities will mean for the town going forward.

Residents have not held back when it comes to sharing their views on the centre, with dozens of people debating the plans which also mark the closure of Devizes Community Hospital, with services currently provided there moving to the new site.

Donna Robinson stated: “In my opinion, a mistake was made when they closed the hospital, with the growth of the town surely having a hospital would have been a more logical step forward.

“It’s just a shame. It was really helpful when it was open. I sadly made use of it a few times when my son was younger. We could definitely do with a hospital here again.”

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

But Ian Diddams argued that the plans were somewhat inevitable.

He said: “The old hospital was, and isn’t fit for purpose. Moving it to a new establishment makes sense.”

Noel Woolrych added that he feels let down by the minimal impact he thinks that the centre will have, and feels that there have been too many broken promises along the way.

He noted: “I welcome this facility, but now I'm going to put it into a context of 30 years. This is a private development, not an NHS facility.

“We have lost, a full-time hospital with surgery and wards, a minor injury unit, maternity, family planning, dentistry, and a nursing home with accommodation for nurses and probably other services.”

Some residents were more open to the prospect of the new facility but raised questions about what the arrival of the centre would mean for GPs in the area.

Stuart Foulstone said: “I think the centre is a fantastic idea. New, and purpose-built for today’s provision of medical services. But is it to replace all GP surgery’s within Devizes or compliment them?”

Additional space for health services in the area is the focal point of its design- as the aim is to make it easier for patients to access the care they need all in one place.

The idea is also for healthcare professionals from four local GP surgeries to be able to provide patients with same day or next day medical care, as well as routine blood tests and clinics for things like asthma and diabetes, after being referred by their own GP surgery.

Have you had your say on what you would like the centre to do for the community? Visit Healthwatch Wiltshire’s website to find out how you can share your views.