A&E: They were just brilliant

Denise Simpson, 67, broke her ankle in a bad fall while out shopping, and her husband Geoffrey rushed her straight to the hospital.

She said: “Once I got seen I saw a good doctor, they X-rayed me and potted me up and I was kept in for three nights while they pinned and plated the break.

“The treatment I had was brilliant; I couldn’t complain. They had to keep me in for observation and physiotherapy so I could learn how to use crutches.

“I was very impressed with the care, and the nursing care as well.”

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust has outline two options for the future of Dewsbury, Pontefract and Pinderfields hospitals.

One option would make routine surgery and treatment Dewsbury and Pontefract hospitals’ main focus.

Pinderfields would become the central site for emergency and complex cases.

The Trust says the benefits would include fewer cancelled operations due to emergency admissions, better use of operating theatres, reduced infection rates, and improved waiting times for routine care and operation.

Both options would lead to centralisation of services at Pinderfields, including children’s inpatients, consultant-led maternity and the special care baby unit.

The Trust says specialist doctors need to see enough patients to maintain skills and improve outcomes, which is harder when patients are spread over sites.

But Mrs Simpson, of Ryedale Court, Hightown, said: “If they had taken me to Pinderfields or Pontefract I would have been stuck there and it’s all extra expense.

“I was very disappointed and upset when I heard about the plans to close the A&E department.

“We are a big area and I am worried about pensioners – a lot of them haven’t got cars and they can’t afford to travel. What if someone had a heart attack – are they going to get them to hospital in time?”