A&E ‘could close’ in Halifax

Posted: February 26, 2014

Posted in: Medical Negligence 

In a bid to save the NHS £50m, the A&E department at Halifax Royal Infirmary may be at risk.  Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust informed local councillors that the department’s closure was the preferred route following a recent review of local healthcare provision.  This suggestion has seen great debate, with Halifax Labour MP Linda Riordan calling the possibility of the department’s closure “foolish”.

Closing Halifax Royal Infirmary’s A&E department would result in patients seeking emergency medical attention having to travel around 7 miles to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.  There were many options suggested by the hospital trust following the review of local health and social care provision – Calderdale Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel was told – but the A&E department closure was the preferred option.  Other options included: closure of Huddersfield Royal Infirmary’s A&E unit, downgrading of emergency hospital care at both hospitals, or making no changes at all.

“fight” to save A&E department

The chief officer of Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Doctor Matt Walsh said that no final decision had been reached regarding the future of Halifax’s A&E department.  He continued: “Nor will there be until we have had a thorough dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders including patients, the public, MPs and other elected members – and others – before we even define what the options for public consultation will be,” he said.

Mrs Riordan, however, said she would “fight” to save Halifax’s A&E department.

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