Public rally over Huddersfield A and E closure plans

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."