Sir Patrick Stewart attempt to stop A&E closure

Posted: January 31, 2016

Posted in: Birth Injury Medical Negligence 

Sir Patrick Stewart has joined in the campaign to stop the Accident and Emergency department of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary being closed down. In proposals health chiefs are considering demolishing the hospital as part of a plan to revamp Huddersfield’s health services. It is proposed that a new medical facility be built in the town, but that A&E services should be moved to the Calderdale Royal Hospital in neighbouring Halifax.

Sir Patrick, who was born in the town, has tweeted from his home in Los Angeles his disapproval of the plan. In his tweet, he described the proposal as a “grave mistake”. In other social media sites, more than 27 thousand have joined a Facebook page dedicated to saving the service. MPs Jason McCartney and Barry Sheerman have organised petitions which have been signed by thousands.

‘lives of the people currently in the Huddersfield area at risk’

The new centre would be at the Acre Mills site in Lindley and would house clinics and planned operations. Accident & Emergency services, high risk births, unplanned and complex surgeries, together with intensive care services would all be relocated to Halifax. It is felt by protesters that this will put the lives of the people currently in the Huddersfield catchment area at risk.

Protesters feel that increased risk would occur due to a notorious bottleneck along the A629 which could restrict access, together with the increased distance to a full Accident and Emergency Department. Clinical Commissioning Groups that manage the NHS Trust are claiming that the current situation cannot be maintained, and state that the proposals will secure the health service in the area for the next 20 years.

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