Huddersfield Royal Infirmary A&E move survey results published

Over 7,500 people responded to the public consultation

A public consultation into plans for a controversial shake-up of hospital services in Huddersfield and Halifax has revealed its results.

Out of 7,500 respondents, 60% said they would be negatively hit by the proposals, which include closing Huddersfield's A&E department.

The 40,000 comments received included concerns about the increased distance for travel and hospital waiting times.

A decision on the plan, which could save the NHS £31m, is due in October.

Demonstrations against the closure have been staged and a petition has been signed by more than 63,000 supporters.

The proposals could leave Huddersfield Royal Infirmary without an A&E department

Under the proposals, all emergency acute and high-risk planned care would be brought together at Calderdale Royal Hospital in neighbouring Halifax.

A new site in Acre Mills, Huddersfield, would be developed as a hospital for planned care, but with no A&E.

People in Huddersfield would have to be taken to Halifax, Wakefield or Barnsley for emergency treatment, or across the Peak District to Oldham or east Manchester.

The 14-week consultation was organised by the NHS Calderdale and Greater Huddersfield Clinical Commissioning Groups.

In Huddersfield, 80% of people feared they would be negatively affected, with 33% feeling the same in Calderdale.