Out with the old, in with the new - our colleagues said their goodbyes to the old facility as they welcomed patients into the new one

Our ED Teams proudly welcomed their first patients to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary's new A&E in the early hours of Wednesday morning last week. 

The night truly marked the end of an era for HRI, as colleagues switched the lights off in the old facility and said their goodbyes to a unit that has been a cornerstone of the hospital for the past 60 years.  

Supporting our ED colleagues through the night were volunteers from across the Trust, who helped direct patients to the new building and assisted with other tasks to help everything run smoothly.

The opening was covered extensively in the local media, with coverage on BBC Look North and BBC Online, ITV Calendar, the Huddersfield Examiner and the Halifax Courier. 

News of the opening even made it all the way to Westminster, with Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, extending his congratulations to CHFT colleagues during Prime Minister's Questions last week. 

The momentous occasion marked the culmination of a decade's worth of work from colleagues across the Trust, including ED Consultant and Clinical Lead, Dr Mark Davies, who said: “It was an honour to welcome the first patients into our new department.

“The transition of the service went very smoothly, thanks to the hard work and detailed planning of our colleagues and partners. 

“Feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive, and I am delighted that we have an A&E that our patients and colleagues can be proud of."

Speaking to the Huddersfield Examiner ahead of the opening, Head Nurse for Urgent and Emergency Care, Tom Ladlow, said: "Our community now has world-class facilities, so we can provide better healthcare. Patients will be cared for better, our teams will feel better, the environment is much better."

The new A&E recently won the title for the Best New Build and was also the overall winner at the 2024 Huddersfield Civic Society Design Awards. 

A virtual tour of the new facility is available to view on the Trust’s YouTube channel. There is also a children’s video tour, told through the eyes and voice of a child.   

Local businesses, community groups and members of the public came together to celebrate the opening in a short film. Watch “It’s Our A&E” on YouTube.

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The striking building is clearly visible from the roadside and is illuminated with red and blue lights at night
The striking building is clearly visible from the roadside and is illuminated with red and blue lights at night
Mark Davies and Tom Ladlow greet the facility's first ambulance arrival shortly after midnight
Mark Davies and Tom Ladlow greet the facility's first ambulance arrival shortly after midnight
Dr Mark Davies escorts the BBC's Michelle Lyons and cameraman Luke around the new facility on Tuesday morning
Dr Mark Davies escorts the BBC's Michelle Lyons and cameraman Luke around the new facility on Tuesday morning
ITV Calendar interview Dr Mark Davies in the new Majors unit on Tuesday morning before the opening
ITV Calendar interview Dr Mark Davies in the new Majors unit on Tuesday morning before the opening
The old facility (left) compared to the new (right)
The old facility (left) compared to the new (right)
The exterior signage of the new A&E is illuminated at night by red and blue lighting
The exterior signage of the new A&E is illuminated at night by red and blue lighting
Opening night colleagues and volunteers in the waiting area just before opening
Opening night colleagues and volunteers in the waiting area just before opening
Volunteers included Liz Preston and Jackie Ryden, who helped things run smoothly on the night
Volunteers included Liz Preston and Jackie Ryden, who helped things run smoothly on the night
Our radiographers were ready to welcome their first patients
Our radiographers were ready to welcome their first patients
Chief Executive Brendan Brown was there on the night to celebrate the opening with colleagues
Chief Executive Brendan Brown was there on the night to celebrate the opening with colleagues
Operations Manager Tom Whittle and Head Nurse for Urgent and Emergency Care Tom Ladlow outside the new department
Operations Manager Tom Whittle and Head Nurse for Urgent and Emergency Care Tom Ladlow outside the new department
Chair Helen Hirst, Deputy Chief Executive Anna Basford and Senior Estates Officer Jammal Mohammed on opening night
Chair Helen Hirst, Deputy Chief Executive Anna Basford and Senior Estates Officer Jammal Mohammed on opening night