IT cost over £30,000 of YOUR money for the consultation over changes to hospital services that ultimately made no difference whatsoever.

Figures obtained by the Examiner from the health trusts reveal that the whole process of publicising proposals, which ran from October to January, racked up just short of £34,000.

This includes £15,490 for a 76-page consultation document and £2,193 in the hiring of venues.

Protesters fighting the changes feel that despite being consulted, they have not been listened to.

Netherton and Paddock GP, Dr Jackie Grunsell, was disappointed with the news.

Dr Grunsell, who is leading the Save Our NHS campaign, said given the outcome, the money would have been better spent on patient care.

"It could have paid for a midwife for a year - well more than a midwife.

"If it had been done and it had been taken account of and made a difference, then there might have been some sort of justification for it.

"It's been a sham, a pointless exercise really and to be quite honest a waste of taxpayers' money.

"At the end of the day that's our money that's been spent.

"There's no doubt that health care workers are not sat around twiddling their thumbs, the NHS is short staffed. We need more staff."

A spokesman for the Huddersfield and Calderdale primary care trusts, said: "The primary care trusts had a legal duty to carry out a public consultation over the proposed changes.

"We consulted with a wide range of local organisations, voluntary and community groups and professional bodies, as well as the general public and staff across Calderdale and Huddersfield.

"There was strong support for the proposals from professional and stakeholder groups."

She added: "The members of the three Calderdale and Huddersfield Primary Care Trust Boards had difficult choices to make balancing the professional opinions and the clinical evidence, against the concerns raised by the public about the proposals.

"They also highlighted what needs to be addressed when service changes are being planned such as discharge planning, visiting hours, the support that women would want in the early stages of labour or the facilities required for families requiring overnight stays."

The Examiner quizzed the board about other expenses not included.

In respect of staff costs we were told no overtime was paid because the consultation was classed as part of their jobs.

The spokesman also said travel expenses tended not to be claimed and that staff who attended the public meetings tried to go to ones in their locality.