MP tries to halt hospital shake-up

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 could be halted and referred to a panel of experts if the secretary of state was called in.

Speaking at Friday’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.”