Controversial plans to ‘downgrade’ A&E at Dewsbury District Hospital have been given the green light by the Health
Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
Hospital chiefs at the embattled Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust have been given the go-ahead to begin their shake-up plans for services in North Kirklees and Wakefield.
The proposals will eventually lead to the number of beds at Dewsbury Hospital being cut from 360 to 110 and the removal of A&E consultant cover at night.
The news comes only days after hospital bosses in Huddersfield and Calderdale announced they too may shut an A & E unit.
The Dewsbury decision has been pending since last October after a joint Wakefield and Kirklees health panel said it was not convinced the plan was in the “best interests” of residents.
But it has now been given the all-clear by the Department of Health, which recommended no further review was needed.
The plan, which hinges on creating larger specialist units, including focusing A&E care in Wakefield, has been welcomed by Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell.
But Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood (Lab) 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 (Con) 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.”
Welcoming the news, a joint statement from three health chiefs — Jo Webster, chief officer of NHS Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group, Chris Dowse, chief officer of NHS North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group and Stephen Eames, chief executive of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust — said: “This means we can now take forward our plans to reorganise hospital services to significantly improve health outcomes for the people of North Kirklees and Wakefield.
“We will continue to involve local people and their representatives in developing the new service models.”
Paula Sherriff, Dewsbury’s Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate, said: “This is a kick in the face to tens of thousands of local people in Dewsbury.”
There are also proposals to change A&E at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital.
Just click on the headline below to read the story
Fears for the future of A&E in Huddersfield and Calderdale
Huddersfield and Calderdale A&E options to be revealed
Plans to close either Huddersfield or Calderdale A&E unit confirmed
Huddersfield and Calderdale A&E shake-up questions answered
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