Dr Stewart (l) said the money should have been spent on healthcare

Community health services in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset are now working mostly along county boundaries.

In 2001, 20 primary care trusts (PCTs) were formed. They have now merged into county PCTs and trusts for Torbay, Plymouth, Poole and Bournemouth.

The government says changes will mean services will work better together.

Before the changes the four counties used to have five health authorities: Cornwall, North & East Devon, South & West Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

Red tape

Following those changes however, some staff who work for the NHS are angry at what they say is a waste of millions of pounds on red tape to bring the system back to what it was.

Dr Andy Stewart of the Cornwall Local Medical Committee said: "I would have liked that money spent on healthcare, personally.

"That money could have gone directly into patient care, but it was wasted. You might as well have put it on a bonfire and set fire to it, to be honest."

Cornwall's new health boss said she was planning a wide debate as part of a review of all healthcare in the county, and that the new system would have benefits.

Ann James, chief executive of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust, said: "We're going to have the benefits of being a single PCT, with a very clear and strong strategic focus.

"We will be working with others about developing health services, and having a real commitment to working with local people about local services, and getting them involved in the decision-making."

BBC South West Health Correspondent Sally Mountjoy said: "The new boundaries mirror those of local councils, which the government said would mean health and social services would work better together, and also save �250m.