NEARLY 150 people packed into Eggborough village hall to show their support for the closure-threatened accident and emergency unit at Pontefract General Infirmary.

York Community Health Council chairman Alan Hartley, from Barlby, chaired last night's public meeting.

It was called to debate cost-cutting plans by Wakefield Health Authority, which could result in the loss of services at Pontefract infirmary - the local hospital for up to 18,000 people living in the southern part of the Selby district.

Other members of the panel included Wakefield Health Authority representative Sue Ellis; Selby GP Dr Colin Pollock; and Fred Walker, of Pontefract Community Health Council.

One of the most controversial suggestions contained in a consultation document published by Wakefield Health Authority is the closure or slimming down of one of two accident and emergency units at Pontefract or at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

Councillor John McCartney, who represents Eggborough on Selby District Council and is leading local opposition to any threat to services at Pontefract, said: "The size of the turn-out shows that local people are very concerned about the proposals."

He said a number of people at the meeting had worked in the health service, so they knew what they were talking about.

"There was a feeling of anger about the proposals.

"Emotions are running very high and people are scared what might happened if the accident and emergency department at PGI closes."

At the end of the meeting, members of the public queued to sign a giant Valentine's card urging health authority chief executive Keith Salsbury to have a heart and save services at Pontefract.

They also collected protest slips, which will be completed and sent off to the health authority, Selby MP John Grogan and the Secretary of State for Health, Frank Dobson.

Coun McCartney, who fears patients will die if they have to travel to Wakefield for treatment, said the health authority was due to set out its final proposals in a White Paper next month.

He stated: "The turn-out last night showed that people are prepared to fight to save their local hospital.

"If Wakefield Health Authority will not listen to us, we will take this fight to London and make the Government listen."

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