KIRKLEES councillors have pledged to take action to stop further cuts in Dewsbury health services.
Councillors were worried about recent ward closures at Dewsbury District Hospital.
Ward 5, which deals with patients who need urgent treatment, will shut at the end of this month because of a shortage of nurses.
The ward also offers specialist services in rheumatology and dermatology.
The loss of 27 beds could cause a crisis when the inevitable winter influx of elderly patients begins.
Councillors blamed the closure on the mounting debt at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust.
The trust was formed 18 months ago when Dewsbury District Hospital merged with Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
Councillors said this led to the hospital, which had a good financial record, inheriting debt. They claim it has struggled ever since.
Clr Kath Pinnock, council Cabinet member for policy and health, said: "Dewsbury District Hospital is having to pay for its share by having ward 5 closed for the rest of this year. That is appalling news for the people of North Kirklees, who rely on that hospital.
"Why should the people of North Kirklees suffer from a financial situation that is inherited and not of their own making?"
Clr Pinnock said she would write to the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust to ask for assurances that no further closures would take place and to ask why she was not notified that Ward 5 would be closed.
Clr Molly Walton, member of overview and scrutiny panel for social affairs and health, said she had also written to the trust asking why a legal duty to inform the scrutiny panel of the plans had not been carried out.
Clr Robert Light called for the council to approach the Government to ask for measures to ensure no more cuts were made to Dewsbury's health services.
Clr Pinnock said she preferred to speak to the trust first, but if necessary she would enlist the help of local MPs in approaching the Government.
