Sad news from the HRI Switchboard Team as their friend and colleague Richard Oldroyd, has sadly died.

Richard had worked at CHFT for more than 50 years, starting his career in the Stores Department, before moving into Switchboard around 15 months later. 

Facilities Manager, Gina Davies, said: “The hospital, and especially switchboard, was an important part of his life. He was always willing to help any of his switch colleagues - no matter the time of day or night.

“You knew it was Richard answering the calls as he had a distinguishable voice alongside a cheeky and friendly nature.

“Richard loved his Costa coffees. He had been known to come into work two hours early so he could catch them whilst they were still open, and before he started his night shift.”

And Deputy Head of Facilities, Claire Bushby-Muffitt, added: “He was always the bellowing voice of switchboard. I always loved his telephone voice and his posh “Huddersfield Royal” when answering. He was always willing to help out and often turned up on his bike in full cycling gear.

“He will be missed by all. Even if people didn’t know his face, everyone knew his voice.”

Richard’s funeral is this coming Friday, 19th April at 10:30 at Huddersfield Crematorium.

CHS will be installing a memorial bench for Richard in the new Wellbeing Garden at HRI in the summer.