WYCHAVON has responded to health proposals which its leaders have dubbed "premature, piecemeal and lacking full information."

A letter detailing the Strategic Health Authority's (SHA) options and proposals for the future configuration of various health bodies has prompted the response from the council's health scrutiny team.

Commissioning A Patient-led NHS was considered by full council and the scrutiny team and a letter is being sent to the SHA as part of pre-consultation comments.

Wychavon's letter states the key objectives of the review should be "quality health services based locally" instead of focussing on money-saving tactics totalling £7m.

Changes under the proposals could see South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust merged with other authorities.

If this happens the council said it fears that local authorities will lose influence over health issues and in turn residents will lose their say.

Health scrutiny team chairman councillor Malcolm Meikle said: "It would be misguided to underestimate the importance of local accountability in health as it is always at the top of community concerns."

Executive board member for health, councillor Judy Pearce, added: "This proposed reorganisation seems to be more about saving money than improving the patients' experiences."

The letter, which also comments on the proposals to merge ambulance trusts, has been sent to the West Midlands branch of the SHA.