A bid by GPs to create a Wharfedale health care group has been rejected by Leeds Health Authority.

Now Otley, Rawdon, Guiseley and Yeadon are set to be incorporated in a group of surgeries including Headingley and Cookridge.

Wharfedale GPs wanted to create a separate Primary Care Group (PCG) for Wharfedale combining surgeries from Otley to Ilkley.

They argued that the practices already effectively work together, despite crossing local and health authority boundaries.

But a decision taken by the Health Authority last month went against the idea. And despite subsequent support from the Leeds Local Medical Committee - the body that represents GPs in Leeds - the original decision will stand following a meeting this week.

Members felt that confusion could arise from creating a group that combined parts of Leeds and Bradford, especially in relation to work with other agencies, such as social services.

There was also a desire to have each group made up of a mixture of inner city and outer area practices - whereas a Wharfedale PCG would have comprised mainly rural practices.

A spokesman for Leeds Health Authority said: "We accepted that GPs felt very strongly that there should be a separate Wharfedale PCG, but other parties didn't and we had to balance these views. The support of the Leeds Local Medical Committee wasn't sufficient to change the decision that had been reached last time."

But Dr John Thompson, who co-ordinated the group of 49 doctors backing the Wharfedale plan, said that the decision was disappointing. "Naturally we are displeased about it and disillusioned, particularly as we felt we had a very strong case that was supported by the health workers in Wharfedale and a strong amount of public support.

"My view is that this decision was taken a long time ago and the consultation process has not varied that decision and I think it is very disappointing that should be the case."

Primary care groups are designed to give family doctors and community nurses a greater say on local health services. Regional NHS bosses are expected to make a final recommendation on their make-up by the end of this month. It will be passed on to health secretary Frank Dobson.

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