Ilkley'S doctors face an anxious wait before discovering if their wish for a Wharfedale primary care group is granted.

The town's GPs, along with those in Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston, want to join forces with colleagues in Otley, Yeadon and Guiseley, to form what they feel is a natural geographic group.

They have the support of Bradford Health Authority for their plan to form closer ties but Leeds Health Authority has rejected their idea - insisting that Otley and Guiseley should form part of a group including Headingley and Cookridge.

A Wharfedale group would cross the boundaries of the two health authorities.

Ilkley's fate will be resolved later this month by regional health chiefs at the Northern and Regional office of the NHS Executive.

Doctors believe a Wharfedale group would serve the best interests of patients and build on already established links between Wharfedale practices.

Dr Robin Poulier, based at Ilkley Health Centre, said: "The decision now rests with the regional office. Our wish is that they listen to the arguments we have put forward in favour of a Wharfedale primary care group and then ask Leeds Health Authority to think again."

"Hopefully they will make a decision in the next couple of weeks. We will be appealing as far as we can," he said.

The rejection by Leeds health bosses comes just as Bradford Health Authority offers official backing to the Wharfedale proposal.

Bradford Health Authority chairman Dr Joan Firth, said: "I think primary care groups do depend on the enthusiasm of the community and I think this is a natural community."

Leeds Health Authority does not agree, preferring to divide its territory into 'wedges' rather than into distinct 'community' areas.

Under the Government's health shake-up, primary care groups are intended to develop around natural communities and service about 100,000 patients and to give family doctors and community nurses a greater say in health services in the area.

Dr John Squire, a Burley-in-Wharfedale based GP, has said the Government scheme could help doctors to plan and manage care for the local population but raised the question of funding.

He said money would be allocated to primary care groups but wondered what would happen when that money ran out.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.