It is now quite clear to all concerned that a merger between Airedale NHS Trust and the Bradford Hospital Trust will not improve health care.

That comment is backed in an independent report which was commissioned by the Trusts to look at the impact of potential changes to local health services.

Obviously the chief executives of both hospitals are delighted by the details of the report which will now be discussed by the boards and the Trusts before a firm and formal view is taken.

Both Trusts have been working formally in partnership for years. That situation, which will hopefully continue, must have played a major part in the overall conclusion that there is no need for a merger to continue the high level of patient care that currently exists.

Great news indeed.

But the comments and gut feelings of the union and staff representatives at Airedale should be heeded.

They warn that even in the face of excellent independent reports, the Government could still sanction a merger as part of its restructuring of the NHS.

The management of the NHS - which is now said to be the largest employer in the world - in a changing world is a complex task.

Report after report, recommendation after recommendation, and debate after debate have all resulted in suggestions for the future running of the NHS.

In some ways they all have the same aim and objective, to provide the highest possible standard in patient care.

The report on the Airedale and Bradford Trusts shows they are hitting that target

Therefore one basic conclusion can be reached - If it ain't broke why fix it?