Committee will closely examine hospital plans

Kirklees Council’s scrutiny committee is investigating the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust proposals, which also affect hospitals in Wakefield and Pontefract.

A major reorganisation of emergency, maternity, children’s and surgical services will take place if the plans are approved by health bosses.

Scrutiny committee members from Kirklees and Wakefield councils have been asked by colleagues to monitor a 90-day public consultation which is now underway. They will also examine the proposals and put forward their own views on what should happen on behalf of local residents.

If the committee believes the NHS is acting unfairly or unreasonably, they can refer the plans to the Secretary of State for Health.

A series of drop-in sessions is planned to give local people the chance to speak to committee members directly.

They are: Thursday April 4, Dewsbury Customer Service Centre, Town Hall Way, 3pm-5pm; Wednesday April 17, reference library, Batley Library, Market Place, 4pm-6pm, and Monday April 29, events room, Cleckheaton Library, Whitcliffe Road, 4pm-6pm

The public is also invited to the committee’s next meeting at Dewsbury Town Hall on Friday April 12, 10am.

It will begin with a 30 minute session for public comments. Anyone who wants to address the committee should contact Laura Ellis on 01484 221916 or [email protected] by 5pm on Thursday April 11.

Written evidence can be sent to the same email address or Laura Ellis, Scrutiny and Governance Team, Crown Court Buildings, Princess Street, Huddersfield HD1 2TT.