YP Letters: Praise to MPs fighting to save Huddersfield's A&E

I HAVE watched the recording of the Parliamentary debate on the proposed closure of A&E facilities at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. It was led by Jason McCartney, MP Colne Valley, who was superb in putting the case for keeping Huddersfield’s A&E open. He was backed up by the equally knowledgeable and very experienced Huddersfield MP, Barry Sheerman.

There was also measured yet emotive input from the Dewsbury and Batley MPs Paula Sherriff and Jo Cox respectively. How can the Kirklees population of nearly 450,000 fit into the Calderdale Hospital, which caters for 200,000? I know that A&E staff at Halifax are rightly alarmed by the prospect.

There was a recent “black alert” at both Huddersfield and Halifax Royal Infirmaries meaning they could not cope with further admissions. Clearly Halifax A&E on its own will be unable to cope and there will be continuous “black alerts.” Also adding to the four Kirklees MPs contributions was the Cheshire MP, Justin Madders.

He rightly congratulated all four on their eloquence, passion and knowledge but I was pleased to hear him make the important reference to the plight of a growing elderly population who will surely suffer most.

Ben Gummer, the Health Minister, contrasted badly with the four Kirklees MPs. He waffled, shuffled and looked awkward and had to be told by the chairman to look into the camera. A poor performance.

Sykes and Lawrence

From: Steven Davis, West View Lane, Totley Rise, Sheffield.

IT was most interesting to read your recent article regarding the dagger presented to TE Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) for his services assisting the “Arab Cause”, 1916-1918.

The book Golden Warrior discusses at great length the parallel career of Sir Mark Sykes, a Foreign Office diplomat, who apparently, was the co-founder of “the Sykes-Picot” agreement of post First World War Arabia.

Sir Mark Sykes was the heir to the family seat at Sledmere, North Yorkshire, about 15 miles due west of Bridlington where TE Lawrence was based briefly in the 1930s as part of an RAF air sea rescue service unit.

Nervous of a breakdown

From: J Traqs, Barnsley.

WITH reference to the letter “Motorway Madness” from John Norton (The Yorkshire Post, February 3). All the local MPs with constituencies through which the M1 and M62 “All lanes running” pass through should ask the Transport Secretary to demonstrate to us all the safety of the new scheme.

The Minister should take part in a mock breakdown (between 7.30am and 9pm) on a busy stretch of the M1, midway between the token refuge areas, and sit in a saloon car alone for 45 minutes, the average time for a recovery vehicle to arrive. Then he might think again.

Reserved for remembrance

From: David H Rhodes, Keble Park North, Bishopthorpe, York.

SADLY there are too many remembrance dates in respect of the two world wars. There was recent reference to the Leeds Pals and the horrendous loss of life on one day of an engagement in the First World War.

Reading this, I was reminded of the mid-1960s when as an assistant manager I went to work at the Guildford Hotel on the Headrow. Every Friday a table was reserved in the restaurant for the Leeds Pals. The number could range from two to six persons and that table was permanently booked for them – it didn’t matter how busy we were. So even 50 years ago they were held in the highest regard and now 50 years later I hope their memory gets the respect they deserve.

Protect the day of rest

From: Canon Michael Storey, Healey Wood Road, Brighouse.

I NOTE that the Government is trying in a sneaky way to extend Sunday opening hours by adding an amendment to the Enterprise Bill. This would allow local authorities to decide whether to extend shopping hours in their areas. It would mean that there would be no national policy.

It is not by chance that most faiths have a day in the week which they call “Sabbath” – a word literally meaning rest.

It is very important for human beings to have a “Sabbath” – so why not keep to the one we have enjoyed for some 2,000 years – Sunday.

Taking biscuit

From: David Walls, Menston.

FOR the last month, both my local Co-op shops have been bereft of custard and Bourbon creams, citing a supply shortage. Is it a plot? Or is their slogan now “Let them eat cake”?

Whale worry

From: Terry Duncan, Bridlington.

WATCHING TV coverage of the whales found dead on the Lincolnshire coast, I spotted that in the background there was a large off-shore wind farm, not dissimilar to one shown on Norwegian TV where another pod of whales met their death.

Could there be a connection?