POORLY babies from south Huddersfield look set to be treated in South Yorkshire.
Barnsley Hospital's neo-natal unit has been given a £100,000 upgrade.
The green light to the upgrading of the unit will mean a better service for parents and sick babies from Denby Dale, Clayton West and surrounding areas.
The upgrade means that from next month babies born at 26 weeks or above can be admitted and there will be an extra cot available.
Previously only babies born at 28 weeks or above could be treated in the unit.
The number of places available will also increase from 13 to 14.
And the money will also provide three new nurses and a new doctor with special interest in neonatal babies.
Neo-natal ward manager Judith Sands said: "We're delighted to have been given the new status.
"Because the unit is able to look after babies at a younger age it will be so much better for mums and dads who otherwise might have to make longer trips out of the area."
The unit will be able to move to the higher status following the appointment of paediatric consultant Dr Mamhood Saeed who has a special interest in neonatology and joined the hospital in September.
Earlier this year as part of the furore over the loss of vital maternity services in Huddersfield to Halifax, Barnsley Hospital was mentioned as a potential destination for women from south Huddersfield wanting to give birth rather than travel into Calderdale.
Reports suggested that Barnsley Hospital could be downgraded.
But its chief executive Jan Sobieraj refuted these claims saying the way ahead was working with hospitals in Huddersfield and millions of pounds was being invested in maternity services in Barnsley in response to demand both inside and outside the area.
