WYCHAVON District Council is opposing plans to reform health services because they would take responsibility for key services away from local authorities.

The plans, detailed in a Strategic Health Authority document entitled "Commissioning a Patient-led NHS", could see South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (SWPCT) merge with other trusts.

This, according to district council chiefs, would lead to a loss of local influence and residents would also lose their say.

Wychavon's health scrutiny team has sent a letter to the West Midlands branch of the SHA dubbing the proposals "premature, piecemeal and lacking full information".

Chairman Cllr Malcolm Meikle said: "In South Worcestershire the local authorities have built up a productive working relationship with the local Primary Trust and indeed we have built up a critical friends role in recent months.

"It would be misguided to underestimate the importance of local accountability in health as it is always at the top of community concerns.

"We appreciate the chance to comment on these proposals and will do so with a patient first attitude."

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

"None of these options have been costed and the current deficits are not addressed by the proposals."

The letter, part of pre-consultation comments on the report, also criticises proposals to merge ambulance trusts.