Judge to examine plan to close A&E
A JUDGE could decide whether controversial changes to hospital services are lawful.
Lawyers are seeking a judicial review of plans for Calderdale and Huddersfield hospitals after safety fears were raised over longer journey times to A&E.
NHS bosses want to knock down Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) and replace the 400bed hospital with a 64-bed site designed for planned NHS care.
Huddersfield would have an urgent care centre to treat people with minor ailments instead of a full emergency department.
Calderdale Royal Hospital (CRH) would be expanded with more beds and an A&E to serve both towns. Law Firm Irwin Mitchell is acting for campaign group Hands off HRI.
Irwin Mitchell’s Yogi Amin said: “We believe that the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust has produced a flawed business case which does not present all the necessary evidence or follow the government guidelines.”
The plans have already been referred to the Health Secretary.
Owen Williams, chief executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The proposals in the trust’s full business case have been developed following local consultation and are designed to secure sustainable healthcare services into the future for the people of Huddersfield and Calderdale.
“We respect the rights of local people and campaigners to use the judicial process.”