5 miles in 31 minutes!

4.07.46pm GMT Wed 23rd Nov 2005

Liberal Democrat Councillors Shahida Awan, (Crosland Moor and Netherton ward), and Linda Wilkinson (Almondbury ward) travelled between Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax to asses the potential impact on families who will have to make the journey if the plans to move the surgical, gynaecology, children's and maternity wards services from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary to Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax go ahead.They made the journey from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on Monday 21st November. They covered the 5miles between the two hospital in 31 minutes.

Councillor Awan says "Last year I gave birth 6 weeks early by cesarean section to my son Abdulla. I had to travel every day for nearly five weeks to be with him. Even though it was only a short car ride to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary it was very uncomfortable. You feel every lump and bump in the road at a time when you are feeling unwell and very anxious. I cannot imagine how difficult this journey to Calderdale Royal Hospital is going to be for new mums particularly if they have had difficult births or cesarean sections. It cannot be good for either the mums or the babies. I am sure that it will make it much harder for mums to get well after the birth of their babies."

Councillor Wilkinson says "I am particularly concerned about the health of women who are recovering from giving birth. This should be a time with as little stress as possible. It cannot be good for them to have to make this journey. It really takes too long."