Health chiefs have backed a radical change to the way mental health services are managed in Keighley and Craven.

Members of Bradford Health Authority have given the green light to the formation of a mental health and learning disabilities care trust, which would be one of the first in the country.

However, a letter of objection signed by 233 social services staff at Bradford Council has expressed concerns about their future terms and conditions of employment, and the comparatively short seven-week public consultation period.

Some staff at Airedale NHS Trust also view it as a takeover by Bradford, although they have not raised objections as many see it as a fait accompli.

The proposed merger will be sent to Health Secretary Alan Milburn, who will decide whether or not to approve the formation of the trust.

If he does, the new trust could be up and running by April.

Bradford Health Authority deputy chief executive Paul Smith said: "There are concerns that staff members have, and we should take every step to bring them to the attention of the relevant bodies so they are addressed. They seem to be entirely reasonable and understandable in the circumstances.

"I don't think we should underestimate the amount of pre-consultation that went on before this, particularly with staff."

The new trust would be a single new organisation formed from the merger of mental health and learning disability services at Airedale NHS Trust and Bradford Community Health NHS Trust, as well as social services at Bradford Council.

Social services in Craven will continue to be provided by North Yorkshire County Council, although discussions are going on about the possible transfer of services in the future.

Money would come from local primary care trusts and Bradford Council, which would commission services from the trust.

Although management will change, the services will continue to be provided in their current locations, like Airedale Hospital.

Supporters of the merger say it will provide a closer working relationship between NHS and local authority staff, and will be an opportunity to develop mental health services with users and carers.

Stuart Fawcett, general manager for mental health services at Airedale NHS Trust, said: "It's wonderful because it will actually bring two bodies together which already do a lot of close working at ground floor level.

"It will help to take down the organisational barriers and it has got to make it easier for users of the service and carers.

"It does have the general support of staff, and we would encourage community involvement."

John Godward, chief officer with patient watchdog Airedale Community Health Council, said: "Airedale CHC was disappointed that because of the condensed consultation period we were not properly able to have the kind of discussion we wanted to with users and carers.

"There are dangers in saying we want to be first because sometimes mistakes can be made in new organisations. How they set out could make it difficult to get back on track.

"Nevertheless, we wish the new organisation well and want to work closely with it, either as a CHC or as patient forums."