Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham is to investigate shake-up plans which will slash the number of beds at Dewsbury District Hospital by up to 70%.

Mr Burnham has promised to look into the downgrade of services backed by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in March.

Mr Burnham, also Labour MP for Leigh, has pledged to visit Dewsbury hospital and listen to the fears of local people.

Under the shake-up plans health chiefs will reduce the number of beds from 360 to 110 and the hospital’s accident and emergency department will lose its overnight consultant.

Critics believe the downgrade is the beginning of the end for Dewsbury hospital.

Retiring Batley and Spen Labour MP Mike Wood went further and predicted the hospital would close by 2016.

Now Jo Cox, who aims to take over from Mr Wood after next year’s General Election, has briefed Mr Burnham on the threat to the hospital.

Mrs Cox, prospective Parliamentary candidate for Batley and Spen, said he would look into the downgrade plans.

Mr Burnham also said Labour would repeal the Government’s Health and Social Care Act, which is blamed for increasing levels of privatisation in the NHS.

Mrs Cox, who also raised concerns about GP waiting times, said: “Labour must react robustly and decisively to the way the Government has allowed private providers to completely hijack our NHS for profit.

“Repealing the act is a great start but it is key that we also focus on securing the future of Dewsbury hospital and Andy was very interested in our campaign.

“People are deeply concerned about the plans. Cutting hospital services is a recipe for disaster.

“We want the downgrade of Dewsbury to be put on hold so that the hospital trust can reconsider its decision.

“When NHS England has concerns, health service staff have concerns and local people have concerns the trust must pay attention.”

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