CONTROVERSIAL plans to form a new "super authority" look set to go ahead this year, meaning Worcestershire Health Authority will soon merge with three other Midland authorities.

Ministers have decided to press ahead with the plans to merge Worcestershire Health Authority with Coventry, Warwickshire and Herefordshire to form a Strategic Health Authority (StHA).

The national change, which reflects the stripping of responsibilities from health authorities in recent years, will come into force in April but legislation will not pass through parliament until October.

The new body will be called Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Strategic Health Authority.

The main functions of it will be to support Primary Care Trusts (PCT) and NHS Trusts in delivering the NHS Plan in this area and to support performance improvement across all its local health agencies.

By 2004 PCTs will be responsible for allocating 75 per cent of the NHS budget.

The Government has already designated a chief executive for the authority, Mike Marchment, who is currently the regional director of performance management at Trent regional office of the Department of Health.

Health minister John Hutton said: "Increased power and responsibility will rest with people working on the frontline.

"We've consulted extensively with patients, the public and those working in the NHS on the boundaries of the new strategic health authority.

"Our announcement represents a significant step towards realising a less centrally-managed NHS but within clear national standards."