There was an outcry when maternity services at Pinderfields were scrapped in 2001, which meant mums had to travel to Pontefract in the throes of labour.

But when the new hospital opens in January 2011 it will have a consultant-led maternity ward, leaving Pontefract with midwife-led services like at Wakefield Birth Centre.

Facilities at Pinderfields will include an early pregnancy assessment unit, antenatal clinic and inpatient antenatal care.

The latest proposals from the Wakefield and Kirklees Partnership Board, which works to improve services at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, include having a specialist centre for neo-natal care.

Sarah McKeith's son Dominic was born at just 27 weeks and spent 13 weeks in hospitals in Leeds and Dewsbury.

Mrs McKeith, 26, of Clifton Place, Newton Hill, said: "The biggest mistake they ever made was taking the maternity ward from Wakefield.

"When you have a premature baby it is the scariest feeling – and then there is a risk you might be parted from him, if he has to be taken to a specialist hospital miles away.

"It would be absolutely amazing to have specialist care at Pinderfields."

The proposals will be considered by Wakefield Council's overview and scrutiny committee before being put out to public consultation, which is likely to be in the summer.

Specialist centres for children's surgery and inpatient orthopaedic trauma are also being considered.

Julia Squire, chief executive at Mid Yorkshire, said: "Doctors are telling us that our patients can recover from major illnesses and surgery even better if they are treated in dedicated centres for specialist areas of medicine and surgery.

"Our key principle is to provide local services wherever possible."

l Meanwhile, hospital bosses have reassured the city that future of the new hospital is safe despite the recession.

The money for the £300m project has been locked away by private funders Consort Healthcare since 2007.