AN organisation that works with councils throughout Dorset has gained a national award for an innovative health project.

The Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils has been awarded project of the year by the National Association of Local Councils for enabling the NHS to connect with remote communities throughout the county.

The DAPTC works to provides advice, support, training, and assistance to member councils, many of which only employ one official in the form of the clerk.

The project provides an opportunity for people in rural communities to voice their opinions to the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group about potential changes within the NHS.

Chairman of the DPTC Cllr Haydn White said: "Parish and town councillors are very close to their communities. Everyone feels very passionately about their local health services so our association was very pleased to help get the message across about how people could get involved in plans for future NHS services."

Communication methods ranged from open meetings to digital media, creating a network the NHS could easily connect with.

Forbes Watson, chairman of Dorset CCG, said: "The CCG is pleased to have forged a new relationship with parish and town councils through the DAPTC. The DAPTC have been critical in our efforts to involve local people in our work and in disseminating information about proposals for major changes to NHS services.

"We value the relationship highly and have seen the benefits it brings to local communities."

The judging panel included representatives from the Department for Communities, local government, the Local Government Association and the Society of Local Council Clerks.

Upon announcing the winners, the judges said: "The Dorset Association stood out as a winner because of their innovative engagement . The DAPTC acts as a gateway for local councils and local councillors to feed in their views into the CCG to help improve heath and care services in the county, which reflects the changing economy and society.

"The county association was particularly proactive in helping to obtain feedback from certain hard to reach groups such as councils and communities in more remote areas."