The decision date for a controversial plan which could close Huddersfield’s A&E has been announced.
Huddersfield and Calderdale health chiefs will announce whether the Right Care Right Time Right Place proposal is to go ahead at a public meeting on October 20.
However, for the plan to proceed it must be approved by Kirklees and Calderdale councillors sitting on a joint health scrutiny panel.
Data from a 14-week public consultation, which ended on June 24, is currently being examined by independent analysts from NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit.
Greater Huddersfield and Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Groups), the NHS authorities behind the plan, are expected to receive the results in early August. Huddersfield and Calderdale hospital bosses will also receive a briefing.
Not sure what the proposals are? Watch this explainer
The results will be shared with the scrutiny panel which will also consider the findings of their own inquiries into the proposal.
By mid-September, the CCGs will consider the panel’s findings and if necessary, discuss issues raised.
The day of the big decision is expected to fall on October 20.
If the scrutiny panel is unhappy with the proposal it can refer it to the Health Secretary.
A CCGs spokesperson said: “The decision is being made by the Governing Bodies of both CCGs meeting in public, in parallel, on October 20.
“The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will continue to scrutinise the consultation. They will review the consultation survey report and deliberate providing a report of recommendations to the CCG Governing Bodies.”
The spokesperson added: “We would like to thank you – the residents of Calderdale and Huddersfield and surrounding areas as well as those who work in the area – for your interest, passion and involvement in the consultation.
“The next step is now evaluating and analysing the consultation. NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit have been independently collating and analysing all survey data and feedback gathered during the consultation period.
“This will include every comment, letter, petition and survey received during the consultation period and they will be analysed as part of the process to arrive at an analysis report.”
Under the RCRTRP proposal Huddersfield Royal Infirmary will be demolished and replaced with a smaller hospital on the adjacent Acre Mills site. It will have an urgent care centre but crucially, no emergency care unit.
Emergency care will be centralised at an expanded Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax.
