Plans to spend £15m on hospital revamp

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust says it is preparing to invest more than £15m on the site off Halifax Road.

But the purchase of a new £1m MRI scanner and work to upgrade operating theatres, create a ‘home from home’ midwife-led maternity unit and set up an new paediatric assessment unit for children hinge on the success of its service change strategy.

Chief executive Stephen Eames said: “Dewsbury and District Hospital is central to our plans for the future delivery of healthcare.

“We want to make it a vibrant hospital, delivering excellent quality services for local people in a modern environment.”

He said the trust was speaking to staff about the kinds of investments being considered and how it might affect them.

He said:“We will not be moving ahead with this until we hear back from the Secretary of State, but we will continue to plan for change pending the outcome of the referral process.”

The trust’s plans to reorganise services, including downgrading Dewsbury’s A&E department and moving some maternity and children’s services to Wakefield, were referred to Jeremy Hunt earlier this month by the Wakefield and Kirklees joint health scrutiny committee.

Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Simon Reevell (Con) said he hoped Mr Hunt would give the plans his approval.

“It’s a pity the scrutiny committee wasn’t able to, didn’t want to or couldn’t make a decision,” he said.

“What’s important is that Jeremy does. There’s millions waiting to be spent on Dewsbury. It’s important that isn’t delayed.”