An influential health watchdog today condemned the possible restructuring of the North's ambulance service as a waste of time and public money.

Harrogate and District Community Health Council (CHC), which covers a vast part of North Yorkshire, claimed there had been no benefits to patients or staff since the last shake-up only three years ago.

In 1999, the Northumbria and Durham services joined forces to become the North East Ambulance Service.

And in the same year, the Cleveland, North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire services also came together to become the single Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

But now their respective boards, with that of the neighbouring West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service, want to merge again to create two services from three. Cleveland is expected to be removed from Tenyas and made part of the North-East group.

But Harrogate CHC chairman, Andy Dewsnip, launched a stinging attack on the proposals and said they could have a demoralising effect on staff.

"The NHS has produced virtually no evidence that mergers and re-organisations have produced any benefits to patients and staff," he said.

"My members are becoming increasingly concerned at the continuing and seemingly never-ending rounds of organisational changes in the NHS.

"My members are concerned at the time and cost involved and, more importantly, the potential for demoralising staff and distracting managers from their key role of providing and improving patient care."

The three services have announced their intention to ask Health Secretary Alan Milburn to consult on their proposals.

And, depending on his response and the outcome of a possible three-month consultation programme, the new services could be up and running by next summer.

The plans have already been welcomed by Unison representatives at each of the services, who are hopeful that new jobs would be created as a result.