The consultation, which will focus on the management of health services across west Surrey, starts on Monday and runs to the end of August, and will include public meetings.
It is part of the local drive to modernise the health service and includes the creation of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), new organisations which will take the lead in the development, commissioning and management of local primary care services.
The five PCTs would cover Waverley, Guildford, north Surrey, Woking and Surrey Heath.
The PCTs, which can be at one of two levels, will be responsible for removing inequalities and improving the health of the community, developing health services through investing to improve the quality of care and the integration of services, and commissioning secondary care from hospitals or specialists.
Waverley PCT would be working with Waverley Borough Council to provide services for 140,000 people.
It would also bring together the community services provided by Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust with commissioning and primary care services provided by Waverley Primary Care Group.
Of the five proposed PCTs, four of them, including Waverley, would operate at level four, the highest level, and both commission and provide community and primary care services.
The primary care services covered by the trusts include GP, dental, ophthalmic and pharmacy services, district nursing, health visiting, chiropody, children's services and intermediate care.
Surrey Heath PCT would operate at level three, working in close partnership with Rushmoor and Hart PCT in Hampshire, who will provide community services under the new agreement.
Director of performance development at WSHA David Smith said the consultation was about "modernising the management of services" rather than changing the services.
"We recognise that the major concern about these proposed changes will be from staff who will see their employer change. Terms of service will be preserved under employment legislation," he reassured.
"Minimising any disruption for both staff and any knock- on effects for patients is a key aim of our change management programme."
The proposed changes have come about after discussions last year between the NHS, social services, county and local councils and interested groups, Mr Smith said.
He added that he felt more local management would give NHS staff, patients and the public "more of a say" in the local services.
An appeal for as many people as possible to give their views during the consultation period has also gone out.
At the finish of the consultation, at the end of August, all comments will be analysed and recommendations made to the health authority.
Mr Smith said:"Following those, the prospective PCTs must apply to the Secretary of State for approval to create the new organisations."
After the applications for PCTs, which are expected to be considered by the Secretary of State in October, the PCT chairmen will be appointed in January next year and the boards established in shadow form from February.
PCT staff, including a chief executive, will be appointed from February onwards and the PCTs would be expected to go live from April 2002.