The MORI poll, for the Doctor Patient Partnership, shows that 69% of people do not know what the term Primary Care Group (PCG) means.

Only 4% got close to the definition, with some even answering that it was "something to do with neighbours" or "private healthcare".

Some 65% of the public said they did not want to be involved with PCGs "at all".

The reforms will begin next year. PCGs are the government's response to the Conservatives' market-led division of GPs into fundholders and non-fundholders.

The 600 groups will bring together local health professionals including GPs, managers and patients.

They will make decisions about spending on local health services and each will have a member of the public on their board.

Alarming

Dr Simon Fradd, chairman of the Doctor Patient Partnership, called the poll's results disturbing.

"These figures show quite alarmingly how the public have been forgotten in the whole process."

He said the government had pledged to involve the public in the process of setting up PCGs, but added that there had been no national awareness campaign to date.

Claire Rayner: the government should act

Claire Rayner, chair of the Patients' Association, said: "It is not enough to promise patient involvement in health planning. We need hard evidence that the promise will be kept soon.

"The government has shown it cares for our opinion, now let us see them act on it."

The poll also shows that most people think their GP should decide whether the NHS can afford their medical treatment.

However, only 6% believe there should be no rationing of drugs and that all medicine should be free on the NHS.