HOSPITAL bosses broke their silence today over controversial plans to move services from Huddersfield.
And they insisted they had no choice but to make changes.
The chairmen of the two Primary Care Trusts for Central and South Huddersfield both insisted vital services could have been lost to either Leeds or Bradford, rather than staying in Huddersfield or Halifax, had the decisions not been taken.
Rob Napier and Bill Mayers both claimed the decisions on March 22 to centralise maternity and children's services at Halifax rather than Huddersfield were to guarantee safer, higher standards.
Thousands of people have responded to an appeal in the Examiner for letters to go to health minister Patricia Hewitt, asking for her to intervene.
Three of the leaders of the protest group set up to oppose the changes have confirmed they intend to fight for seats on Kirklees Council next month.
