CAMPAIGNERS against a plan to move services from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary today demanded: Listen to the Government.
Leaders of the protest claimed health bosses were at odds with ministers' wishes to allow more choice.
A decision is to be made next month on transferring vital maternity, gynaecological, children's and surgical services to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.
Family doctor Jackie Grunsell, one of the founders of the Save Huddersfield NHS group, said: "The Government now propose patients are given more choice of where they access health care.
"The trust's proposals seem to completely contradict this.
"It seems we will have a choice of anywhere except Huddersfield."
Thousands of people opposed to the changes have signed petitions launched by Dr Grunsell's group.
NHS bosses are sifting through the protests before making their minds up next month.
Just a scaled-down maternity unit would be left in Huddersfield, staffed by midwives only.
Mums who run into problems would have to be transferred to Halifax.
Dr Grunsell, whose practice is in Paddock and Netherton, said she was delighted to see that councillors were against moving maternity services.
"We hope the trust will heed this and reassure mothers-to-be regarding their safety and the safety of future children," said Dr Grunsell.
But she added her group was dismayed that the committee of Kirklees and Calderdale councillors accepted the other parts of the shake-up.
Dr Grunsell said: "We have not seen convincing evidence that the current system is failing or unsafe.
"The jury is out as to the benefits of centralising.
"Where is the proof that centralisation improves patient care?"
Her group's organising committee is continuing to meet regularly.
Dr Grunsell said: "We are planning to lobby future meetings of the trust boards."
Health chiefs have told the public their views will be taken into account when the plan is formalised.
