Around 300 people gathered at a packed meeting in Halifax to protest the potential closure of Calderdale Royal Hospital’s A&E.

Unison organised the meeting at North Bridge Leisure Centre, which was chaired by Calder Valley MP candidate Josh Fenton-Glynn and was attended by Halifax MP Linda Riordan and Calderdale Council leader Tim Swift.

Four panel members spoke about their fears over the downgrading of the casualty service at the hospital, which is being considered as part of a radical overhaul of the Calderdale and Huddersfield Trust’s health services.

They said that the decision was being driven by money and urged audience members to hold events to get more people behind the campaign.

Linda said: “Today people across the Calderdale have shown that they are united against plans to close down our A&E.

“It is a decision which is being driven by money and we hope that this is just the beginning of a strong campaign that will send out a clear message to health bosses that we will fight to save our services across Calderdale and Kirklees.

“We will present our petition to parliament in April and I will keep putting on pressure in parliament but what will save our NHS is getting people out on the streets.

“We can and will save our A&E department at Calderdale Royal.”

She said that a steering group would be set up after the meeting and confirmed that a mass rally in the town would take place in late April or Early May. Meanwhile, regional Unison head of health Tony Pearson said: “Both hospitals’ A&E departments are operating at near full capacity with 22,000 emergencies coming to Huddersfield and 23,000 to Calderdale.

“We don’t oppose changes where there is clear evidence that it will improve people’s lives but we don’t have this assurance here and this decision will affect a huge population.”

Other speakers included National Health Action Party Naveen Judah and Suma Wholefoods Workers Cooperative employee Gary Scott.

Hospital chiefs have admitted they favour retaining A&E at Huddersfield whilst making CRH specialise in planned care but officials in charge of the review say nothing has been decided.

The next public meeting will take place on April 11 at the Kings Centre in Park Road at 6.30pm.

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