HOSPITAL chiefs made their vital decisions on March 22.
They met at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield and agreed every proposal that had been put forward - despite massive opposition to some of them in the preceding months.
The key changes are:
* Planned general, gynaecological, orthopaedic and breast surgery will move from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to the Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.
* Inpatient services for children will move to Halifax.
* All maternity services - except a midwife-led unit - will move to Halifax. This includes special care services for babies.
* St Luke's Hospital at Crosland Moor will close.
* Patients needing low security mental health care will have to go to Fieldhead Hospital in Wakefield.
Timeline for Hospital change
October 6: Examiner reports plans to provide only a midwife-led unit in Huddersfield. Health bosses later insist plan is not cost-driven.
October 21: Dr Jackie Grunsell, a GP at Paddock and Netherton, sets up a protest group. She labels proposals "frightening and stupid".
November 2: Health chiefs officially launch their Looking To The Future consultation document. They say their proposals will "improve and provide safe, high-quality services in community and hospital settings".
November 8: Midwives refuse to back the proposals. Women of Huddersfield deserve better, says their leader.
December 10: About 1,000 people march in the bitter cold to vent their anger at the proposals.
January 12: Public consultation extended a further two weeks until January 30 at the request of Kirklees councillors. Kevin Holder, chief executive of Huddersfield Central and South Huddersfield primary care trusts, says it "demonstrates genuine commitment to a thorough and robust process".
January 14: About 1,500 people gather to protest against changes. Thought to be biggest rally in Huddersfield in the last decade.
January 18: Campaigners crowd into Kirklees Council meeting to press for support from councillors, but referendum plea turned down.
January 30: Public consultation ends with a thank-you to the public for their time. More than 5,000 written responses were received, 339 people attended three public meetings and talks were held with 46 voluntary organisations.
February 14: An estimated 50,000 signatures reported to be on petitions against hospital changes.
March 18: About 500 placard-waving protesters hold one last march before decision day.
March 22: Health trust board members meet at the Galpharm Stadium for a day of debate. Every proposal is agreed with only three votes against and five abstentions.
April 10: Calderdale and Kirklees Joint Health Scrutiny Committee decides to ask Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to review the decisions.
