A PATIENTS' watchdog is calling for the public to be fully involved in debating any changes to the structure of Wiltshire's ambulance service.

Poor performances and a zero star rating for the Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust has forced the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority to consider merging the trust with two others in its patch.

Health chiefs from the SHA, primary care trusts and ambulance trusts from the three affected counties met on Friday to discuss the way forward, deciding to set up a steering group to evaluate the cost and impact of a merger.

Members of the Wiltshire patients forum are calling for the public to be fully involved in any decision making process.

Nick Westbrook, chief executive of the Health Advocacy Partnership, which represents 20 patient forums, said the Wiltshire public had to believe any proposals for the ambulance trust's future were not already decided.

He said: "We recognise they need to have discussions about the future. We have identified a number of concerns that are being raised by the public and patients.

"We are not saying these concerns are fatal to changes but when we know what they (the SHA) are proposing in detail we want full and proper consultation.

"We are saying there is an opportunity to really engage with patients and the public. We want to make sure this is not explained away as a management restructure."

In a separate meeting with the ambulance trust last week, forum members raised concerns about the potential for Wiltshire's ambulance fleet to be drafted into neighbouring counties, neglecting the county's more rural areas.

Forum members are due to meet SHA chief executive Trevor Jones this weekend to discuss their fears further.

An independent organisation, yet to be selected, will start work on reviewing the merger plans in March, with results expected in April.

The work will look at the existing structure and evaluate whether a merger of either the management teams of all three trusts, or a complete integration of the trusts, would benefit patients best.

Ruth Fitzjohn, who chaired the meeting of health bosses, said: "Everyone was unanimous in their view on how best to take this review of ambulance services forward.

"The work by an independent national organisation, be it a management consultancy or recognised health body, is vital if we are to take the right decisions on the future of services that will impact on so many people in our area."