Around 50 residents met last week to discuss how the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund (PMCF) of £1.89m will improve health care in Dover.

The cash injection was announced last month and will fund an urgent GP home visit service when practices are closed, enhanced community care and a rapid assessment service for mental health patients.

The Invicta Community Interest Company (CIC) – a federation of GPs working in east Kent – successfully secured the money as part of a national trial which is piloting different ways of making it easier for patients to access services.

The Challenge Fund was launched in October 2013 when Prime Minister David Cameron announced a £50 million cash boost to improve patients’ access to their GP practices.

Hazel Carpenter, the accountable officer of NHS South Kent Coast Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The new Dover hospital will be a fabulous asset, and we want to use the hospital to pilot greater access to GPs – from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

“We want to see more joined-up care, including mental health support, for the people of Dover.”

She said that the CCG will be working with NHS England, the hospital and GP practices to make sure that people can access a doctor at convenient times.

She added: “Patients will also be able to link in to other services being provided at the new hospital, such as pharmacy, pathology and women’s health services.

“By having a central hub linked to GPs, we can work together for the benefit of the patient and the NHS.

“But during the pilot phase we’ll draw on our experience, listen to our patients and continue to improve access to care whenever and wherever possible.”

The CCG’s lay member for public and patient involvement, Brian Wash, said: “It was great to see so many Dover residents at the Ark event.

“Everyone there was passionate about the NHS, and they want to see it working for them and their families.

“The NHS is complex, but Dover people want to see barriers broken down and the delivery of care unhindered by bureaucracy.”