`Listen to public on health plans'.

Byline: Neil Atkinson ,

Councillors have made their final plea to hospital bosses to keep vital services in Huddersfield.

And they issued an urgent appeal to them: Listen to the public.

Kirklees Council's political group leaders met yesterday with PCT chief executive Kevin Holder and the two trust chairmen Rob Napier and Bill Mayers.

The drove home a key message from local residents who are opposed to proposals to transfer some key hospital services from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to Halifax.

The council has already approved two resolutions opposing the proposed changes and calling for the retention of surgical, gynaecological, children's and maternity services at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Tens of thousands of local people have signed petitions opposing services moving from Huddersfield to Halifax.

A joint scrutiny committee of councillors from Kirklees and Calderdale Councils has urged the Primary Care Trusts to consider alternatives to moving maternity service from Huddersfield.

They want services on both sites and have said that they will formally refer the maternity services proposal to the Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt if alternatives are not looked at.

The council team that put the case to Primary Care Trusts leaders was headed by council leader Clr Kath Pinnock.

She said: "I cannot think of any other issue that has resulted in such widespread reaction and opposition as some of these proposals, particularly to maternity services.

"The main purpose of our meeting was to really reinforce that depth of feeling among the local community.

"Everyone is in favour of improved health services, and I am the first person to recognise that the PCTs are under immense pressure to make the best use of their financial and professional resources.

"But they must take account of public opinion, and it is our role as elected councillors to drive that message home.

"We don't want to fall out with the PCTs. Far from it. They are key partners in improving local services for local people. We want to work with them to do exactly that.

"The council has debated the proposals in considerable depth. The people of the Huddersfield area have spoken. Our determination as a council is to ensure they are listened to on such a vital local public service."

Clr Robert Light, the Tory group leader, was also at the talks.

He said: "It was our chance to make a formal plea to the health officials to listen to what the public have said.

"There are particular concerns over maternity services and transport links between Huddersfield and Halifax."

A final decision on the plans is due on March 22.