FEARS Worcestershire could be "swallowed up" as part of plans for new health authorities have been expressed by Wyre Forest district councillors.
Wyre Forest District Council and Wychavon District Council have jointly thrown their weight behind a campaign to create a West Mercia health authority, in line with the police force and probation service.
The campaign was started by Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, his Ludlow counterpart Matthew Green and Hereford MP Paul Keetch.
It won the backing of Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy following his visit to Kidderminster Hospital.
Liberal Democrat county councillors were criticised last month when they voted in line with Conservatives and Labour in favour of the Government's proposals, which would partner Worcestershire and Herefordshire with Warwickshire and Coventry.
Wyre Forest District Council's hospital and health services task group says district people would lose out under these plans, which are part of a national scheme to replace 95 local health authorities with 30 larger ones.
Health Concern leader Elizabeth Davies said: "Our preferred configuration would be a West Mercia Strategic Health Authority to be established, incorporating Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
"We feel the interests of residents in Wyre Forest and Wychavon would be best served by a health authority which covers a geographical area with similar needs and interests."
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