A hospital merger will not improve health care for patients in Keighley and Craven, according to a report out this week.

An independent report by Dearden Consulting has revealed there is "no need" for a merger between Airedale NHS Trust and Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust.

The report, which states that good services can be maintained within the current format, has been welcomed by health chiefs at Airedale .

Members of the trust board are set to formally dismiss any need for a merger when they meet next month.

However, union officials fear the government could still sanction a merger as part of its restructuring of the NHS.

Both trusts asked Bradford Health Authority to organise the independent review in light of the potential changes to local health services.

In a joint statement, Airedale chief executive Robert Allen and Bradford chief executive David Jackson say: "This was an impartial review, charged with the task of examining the case for a possible merger so that an informed and rational view could be taken.

"The key finding of the review is that there is no need for a merger to take place in order to continue the high level of patient care that currently exists at both trusts.

"The full report will now be jointly discussed in detail by the boards of each trust before a firm and formal view is taken."

"Obviously we are very pleased with the content of this report," Mr Allen adds.

"We have been working formally in partnership with Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust for years and the report says we should go on and do that in a number of areas."

From April 1 it is likely that the management of mental health services will be transferred from hospital trusts like Airedale to a new mental health care trust.

This would leave Airedale responsible solely for acute medical services, with community health services transferred to Airedale Primary Care Trust.

While health chiefs at Airedale don't see this as a threat to its viability - there will be smaller acute hospitals in the region such as Harrogate - there are concerns that any resultant merger of hospital services would undermine the £116million redevelopment of Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke's Hospital.

Union and staff representatives at Airedale are concerned about the transferral of services to Bradford, which they say would reduce the quality of services for people in Airedale, particularly those living in rural parts of North Yorkshire.

Steve Fowler, chairman of the District Joint Staff Committee, says: "What we've got to be careful of is not taking too much heed of this, because if the government decides a merger is the best way forward it could still sanction it."

John Godward, chief officer with patient watchdog Airedale Community Health Council, says: "We are delighted with the findings that will help to stabilise the future of Airedale NHS Trust. An organisation that is stable is better for patients."