Join our mini health referendum

NOW you can telephone or text to join our mini-referendum on Huddersfield's hospital shake-up.

Lines are waiting for your calls - after public demand prompted us into action.

We set up a chance to have your say via our website on Friday, after it emerged that a public vote in the form of a referendum was doomed not to take place.

So far, hundreds of people have cast their votes online.

We're asking exactly the same yes or no questions considered by the council in its plans for a referendum.

This morning, 88.44% of people were voting against all health proposals.

An even higher proportion, 92.42%, were firmly opposed specifically to baby unit plans.

Health chiefs want to pare down Huddersfield's maternity services to a midwife-led unit without doctors.

Women expecting tricky births would go to the Calderdale Royal Hospital, Halifax. Anyone who developed unexpected problems could face a traumatic transfer mid-labour.