DISTRICT doctors have been backed by the health authority in their bid to give patients more of a say in their health care.

Worcestershire Health Authority has supported Wyre Forest Primary Care Group's bid to become a primary care trust.

Under the plan doctors would have greater responsibility for shaping primary and community care.

They would be funded directly by the regional health authority rather than the present system which involves Worcestershire Health Authority providing funding and the PCG tasked with organising care.

A WHA spokeswoman said: "Wyre Forest PCG has been very innovative and progressive in its vision to improve patient care and its seems the right time for it to go forward, taking on greater responsibility for shaping primary and community care in the future."

The health authority was keen the impact on the county's five other PCGs was taken into consideration when the Health Secretary makes his decision.

This will be known in two to three months time.