MP calls for halt to ‘delusional’ shake-up at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust

Batley and Spen MP Mike Wood called on a council watchdog to use its powers to ask Jeremy Hunt, the health secretary, intervene over plans to cut 200 beds and centralise services at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust.

Health chiefs are considering a reorganisation which includes shifting critically-ill and injured patients from Pontefract and Dewsbury to Pinderfields.

Under the scheme Pontefract and Dewsbury would have units providing urgent care for minor injures, while Pinderfields would keep its consultant-led A&E and treat more emergencies.

Dewsbury would also lose its consultant-led maternity unit as complex births are transferred to Pinderfields.

The plans, which are out to public consultation, could be halted and referred to a panel of experts if the secretary of state was called in.

Speaking at today’s meeting of Wakefield and Kirklees joint health scrutiny committee, Mr Wood said: “I have grave concerns about these plans, which I find unfair, unreasonable and unsafe for the people I represent.”

Mr Wood said there had been big increases in A&E attendances and acute admissions at Mid Yorkshire.

He said: “These are massive increases in acute medical admissions. How will the hospitals cope when units are combined and the trust removes 200 beds from its provision? I think it’s delusional.”