PROPOSED CLOSURE OF CALDERDALE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

That this House condemns the proposal to close the accident and emergency (A&E) department at Calderdale Royal Hospital; notes that thousands of people in Halifax and Calderdale have already signed petitions condemning any closure move; praises the people of Halifax and Calderdale for uniting and campaigning to send a clear message of Hands off our A&E; further notes that centralising A&E services in Kirklees would mean journey times for Halifax and Calderdale residents of up to 40 minutes to access A&E services; further notes that Calderdale Royal Hospital only opened in 2001 and has excellent facilities for treating A&E patients; feels that the priority of health policy should be about saving lives over saving money; agrees that both Calderdale and Kirklees should have A&E departments serving their local communities; further feels that centralising A&E services in Kirklees would be a retrograde and unnecessary step; urges health bosses and the Government to take note of the views of Halifax and Calderdale residents before a final decision is made; and calls on the Government and health bosses to think again about this closure proposal and to ensure that the future of Calderdale Royal Hospital A&E is secured.