CONCERNS have been raised over the future of patient care in the county after the Government announcement that primary care trusts and ambulance services are to be reconfigured.

The Worcester News reported yesterday how South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is to merge with its counterparts in Redditch and Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest to create one Worcestershire PCT in October.

And Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust is to merge with West Midlands Ambulance Service and Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance Service.

The Government claims this will save money and lead to better services for patients.

But Simon Geraghty - chairman of Worcestershire County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which was against the mergers - said he was disappointed with the decision.

"It's a concern because in the case of the PCT, it was only established in April 2002 and now it is changing again.

"We feel constant changes in the NHS divert money away from patient care and there is never enough time to establish anything properly."

He said the merger of Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service was even more of a concern as it is a very successful organisation which is open, frank and accessible with innovative schemes.

Alex Stewart-Cleary of the South Worcestershire Patient and Public Involvement Forum, said he was worried about a lack of accountability now the organisations are to be centralised.

"I worry for the patients and I also worry for staff of the trusts as this is certainly going to mean redundancies," he said. "Also, it is claimed the merger of the PCTs will save millions which can be ploughed back into patient care, but how much are the redundancies and other changes going to cost?"

But David Barlow, South Worcestershire PCT chairman, said the merger will strengthen patient services allowing just one Trust to concentrate on commissioning the very best services for local people.

"The reconfiguration means that the new Primary Care Trust will run alongside with Social Services at county level, and with our local Acute Hospitals Trust," he added. "I am confident that the changes will improve both relationships."

Russell B Hamilton, chief executive of the ambulance service, said: "We reaffirm our ongoing commitment to providing the highest possible care for those we serve.

"I know that every member of the trust remains committed to providing an excellent service to people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire."