Council set to debate changes to hospital services

The Mid Yorkshire Hospital Trust, Kirklees NHS and partners are currently carrying out detailed work on proposals which will shape the future provision of services delivered at Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury Hospitals. It has invited initial comments on a possible shake-up including:

*Centralising maternity care led by a specialist doctor and neonatal care for premature or very poorly babies at Pinderfields, with midwife-led units at Dewsbury and Pontefract.

*Care for children who require a hospital stay exceeding 24 hours would be centralised at Pinderfields.

The Kirklees Liberal Democrat Group has submitted a motion to Kirklees Council’s full council on December 7 recommending the options are not supported.

Coun Kath Pinnock, Lib Dem leader said: “Whilst we recognise that the NHS bodies conducting the consultation have not arrived at their final options for the future of Dewsbury District Hospital, we are sufficiently concerned to ask that full council takes a view on it at this stage.

“We are naturally supportive of changes which improve care for people and which are delivered in line with local need. However, with infant mortality rates being above the national average in North Kirklees, we are of the view that there is evidence to support the argument that consultant led care and neonatal services should be retained at Dewsbury to meet the needs of the local communities.

“We are also conscious of the impact that having to travel at distance to access services has on patients and families. Therefore, we don’t believe relocating the maternity services and those for children requiring a long stay in hospital is in the best interests of local people.”

The Yorkshire Post reported in October that the Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust is targeting efficiencies of £30m by next March but also needs an extra £14m in financial support to break even.

At the time it was said Dewsbury could see its full maternity service closed and it was said detailed work on the plans was underway and there could be a public consultation next summer.