Controversial changes to care at Dewsbury District Hospital have been given the green light by the Health Secretary.
Hospital chiefs at the embattled Mid Yorkshire Trust have been given the go-ahead to begin their shake-up plans, which include a bid reduce A&E cover in Dewsbury at night.
But an independent panel brought in to advise on the plan has warned them to make no changes to hospital services until community services are ready to take the extra pressure.
The plan to re-configure services and focus A&E care in Wakefield , has been welcomed by Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell.
But Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood has slammed the decision and predicted it is the start of the end for Dewsbury’s hospital.
He said: “This is an appalling decision, taken without reference to the facts of the case and driven entirely by financial considerations on the part of the Trust and a wish to privatise the NHS on the part of the Government.
“I am convinced that as a result of this plan going ahead that Dewsbury and District Hospital will close by 2016.”
Mr Reevell said: “I’ve always thought we should listen to the clinicians. They say these proposals make sense.“It’s time to stop playing politics and get on with these proposals that save lives.”
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