THE NUMBER of patients using Barnsley Hospital's accident and emergency department could be set to rise after health chiefs voted to close Huddersfield's A & E unit.
In a move that's claimed could save millions of pounds and improve healthcare, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary would be replaced with a hospital without an A & E.
It means that people from Huddersfield will have to travel to Barnsley or Halifax for emergency treatment.
A spokesperson for Barnsley Hospital said: "Throughout the consultation period we have been liaising with the NHS in Huddersfield to enable us to understand the potential impact on our services.
"Now the consultation period is over and a decision has been made we will be working closely with our commissioners to ensure impact to our services is minimised."
