By Rebecca Marano
The Huddersfield Royal Infirmary has been saved from closure after Jeremy Hunt called for a re-think on plans to downgrade the hospital.
The proposals were to knock down the HRI and build a smaller care center whilst the A&E department would move to Calderdale Hospital.
However, Jeremy Hunt confirmed in a letter to the Calderdale and Kirklees Joint Health Scrutiny Committee that he has asked the NHS to reconsider the move.
In the letter, Mr Hunt said that altough at first he felt it was important for the government not to interfere, the IRP investigation found a number of failings.
He said: “In short, the proposals are not in the best interests of the people of Calderdale and Greater Huddersfield.”
The news was an unexpected victory for locals and MPs who have been campaigning against the plans.