Huddersfield set to lose A&E department

Public consultation begins today on controversial plans to close Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency (A & E) unit.

Thousands have already signed a petition opposing the closure. The consultation period ends on June 21.

There will be a debate in Parliament today about the future of Accident and Emergency services at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

It was announced last month that the A and E department in the town would close in favour of keeping emergency care at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax.

The debate was secured by the Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney who says the proposal to close the Huddersfield department is completely the wrong decision and needs overturning.

The actor Sir Patrick Stewart has also voiced his support for the campaign to save the unit. The Mirfield born star says the closure would be a "grave mistake."

The actor Sir Patrick Stewart has tweeted his support for a campaign to save Huddersfield's A&E department. The Mirfield born star says the closure would be a "grave mistake."

The department's future is in doubt with plans being considered by the trust which runs hospitals in Huddersfield and Halifax.

It wants just one A&E department, which would be at Halifax not Huddersfield.

Campaigners fighting against proposals to close Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's Accident and Emergency Department will host their first public meeting tonight.

The event will take place at Huddersfield Methodist Mission at 7pm.

Around 1000 people attended a rally against the closure last weekend.

A public consultation on the proposals is expected to begin next month.

Around 1,000 people have turned out at a public rally in Huddersfield organised by campaigners trying to save the town's Accident and Emergency department.

Plans were announced earlier this week that could see the Huddersfield unit close rather than the one at Calderdale Royal Infirmary in Halifax. The campaign group has organised a further meeting for next Wednesday.

A public rally is being held today as part of a campaign to save the Accident and Emergency department at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Campaigners will meet at 1pm at St George's Square. Past patients will be among those speaking in favour of keeping the service in the town. A facebook page in support of the campaign has now got almost 40,000 members.

It was announced earlier this week that plans which could see the service go to Halifax will go out to public consultation. The trust which runs the hospitals in both Huddersfield and Halifax wants just one A and E department.

The plan to base it at Calderdale Royal Hospital emerged after months of speculation. Campaigners say the extra journey time to get there may cost lives. Health officials though say both Huddersfield and Halifax would have what it calls "urgent care centres."

Plans which could see Huddersfield lose its accident and emergency services to Halifax will go out to public consultation.

General practitioners from Kirklees and Calderdale agreed to the move at a meeting in Huddersfield today.