THREE MPs are demanding an independent inquiry into Huddersfield health changes.

Their plea came a week after protest letters from 7,127 Examiner readers were handed to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt.

Campaigners protested that their views had been ignored in a six-month consultation period.

Now Ms Hewitt is being told that only an independent inquiry can restore faith in the National Health Service.

Labour MPs Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield), Kali Mountford (Colne Valley) and Mary Creagh (Wakefield) have joined forces to urge the move.

They want the issue to be considered through the existing NHS independent inquiry system.

A panel would include clinicians from outside the area.

Ms Mountford said: "All three local MPs have already made it clear on many occasions that we oppose the proposals and that we want them reviewed.

"We have now decided that the only way to make sure the public have confidence in local health provision is to take away any notion there are any vested interests in any decisions.

"Many people said to me during the period of this consultation that the proposals were more for the convenience of the hospital consultants than the patients.

"I want to make sure this is not the case."

Local health chiefs agreed changes on March 22, despite huge public opposition. The shake-up will include switching many maternity services from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to the Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.

In a letter to Ms Hewitt the MPs say: "In order to deliver the best possible local NHS service it is essential to have full, on site consultant support for any proposed midwife-led unit.

"We also believe a full A&E service cannot be provided without such consultant support."

Ms Mountford said:

"To have the proposals assessed independently by a panel appointed by the minister who have no local or political axe to grind seems the best way forward. We would want this to take place as soon as possible and would want a speedy response."

All three MPs were present when the Examiner took its readers' pleas to Westminster last week.

Editor Roy Wright said there was an overwhelming feeling of anger with the decision-making process.

Mr Sheerman said today:

"We know the views of the people of Huddersfield and the health trusts. It is now time for a thorough and independent inquiry into the proposals."

Ms Creagh said: "We believe a panel of independent experts will get to the bottom of this decision.

"We were all disappointed at the trust's decision to ignore local feelings."