AN MP has demanded the return of full maternity services to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI).

Consultant-led services moved to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax in August 2008, leaving Huddersfield with only a midwife-led unit.

Speaking during a debate on maternity services in the House of Commons, Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney demanded the return of full services to HRI.

He said: “Mums now have to be transferred to Calderdale Hospital if there are complications during birth.

“Many mums are opting for Halifax just to be safe. There is a new midwife-led unit at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, but mums want specialist and emergency care available there too.

“In an emergency, the time it takes to travel to Halifax can be the difference between life and death for mother and baby.

“Many departments of the coalition Government are championing localism, and rightly so.

“I therefore plead with the minister to reconsider restoring full maternity care close to where mums need it most.”