A Kirklees Council health panel member has expressed her disbelief that NHS chiefs are considering changing A&E services.
Jane Gledhill, a volunteer co-optee to the council’s health and wellbeing scrutiny panel, slated plans to shake-up health care, which include the potential for just one A&E unit for both Huddersfield and Calderdale.
On Tuesday, at a meeting of the panel, Mrs Gledhill said plans to alter emergency care were “scaring the public”.
Speaking later as a member of the public at the Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Group (GHCCG) board she again slammed the proposals.
She said: “It’s shocking to me that managers are suggesting something as major as closing an A&E. It’s a dereliction of duties.
“Is this the best way of saving £50m? I would say let’s look at everything but the frontline.
“I have fears about the terrible road accidents we have and the critical ‘golden hour’ for treatment.
“Should anybody die because they’ve been stuck in a queue of traffic then that would be tragic.”
But Dr Irving Cobden, a hospital adviser to the CCG, said emergency care was already changing to a system that didn’t automatically send people to their nearest casualty unit.
“It isn’t always the best thing to be taken to the nearest A&E even now,” he said.
“I would rather somebody with a head injury goes straight to a brain surgery unit.
“Even now, if you have a major accident you will not necessarily be taken to your nearest A&E as you won’t get the best quality care.”
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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