Letter: Hospital decision is already made

Save Our Local Hospital Services held a protest rally outside Dewsbury Town Hall against plans to change services at Dewsbury and District Hospital.

In my view a reliable local health service is absolutely essential for all. The service is NOT free because we pay contributions, council tax and income for it.

It is common knowledge that Dewsbury Hospital has been deliberately run down for years and the present ‘consultation’ is a sham because the decision to downgrade it was taken years ago. Presumably before the hospital was built, the site was carefully considered and it does indeed serve a large proportion of the elderly, the vulnerable, the disabled and the poor. What has changed? The only change is an increase in building so magnifying the catchment are even further.

Now, what functions provided by personnel and/or equipment could not under any circumstances be provided by Dewsbury? The answer to that is none. This is a classic case of people being forced to fit in with building rather than the other way round.

Because a political decision was taken to build the white elephant at Pinderfields, we are to be deprived of a vital local service. There isn’t even a direct bus service, I urge everyone to fight this tooth and nail.

Don Burslam

Elm Road

Dewsbury Moor