- NHS hospital
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
Assessment report published 1 June 2026
Contents
Ratings - Urgent and emergency services
Our view of the service
We conducted an unannounced on-site, comprehensive assessment visit of urgent and emergency care services (UEC) on 12 to 14 January and 4 February 2026 in response to concerns raised to us around safe care and treatment.
We rated the service as Requires Improvement. We found a continued breach of regulation in relation to the management of patients presenting with mental ill health.
We also identified new breaches of regulation. These included concerns about infection prevention and control, such as poor bare‑below‑the‑elbow compliance and unsafe practice. Mandatory training compliance for medical staff was low for all modules. Bed rail risk assessments were not always completed or reviewed. Patients were treated in unsuitable and unsafe areas, with limited privacy and dignity.
This meant some aspects of the service were not always safe and there was limited assurance about safety.
However, staff provided care that was kind, compassionate and respectful. Patients and their families were involved in decisions about their care, people were supported to raise concerns, and staff took time to listen. The doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals worked well together, demonstrating strong teamwork and a shared commitment to delivering care.
People's experience of this service
We spoke with over 60 patients and their loved ones during our assessment of the service. We also reviewed a range of patient experience information, including Friends and Family Test (FFT) feedback and CQC national patient survey results.
Most people we spoke with were warm and positive about their experience. They consistently praised the kindness, professionalism and compassion shown by all staff involved in their care, and many told us they felt listened to and valued.
Comments from patients included: ‘staff are all friendly but very busy’ and ‘staff are doing their best’.
However, some patients told us they requested pain relief, but this was either not offered or was delayed. As a result, some people experienced avoidable discomfort while waiting for treatment or assessment.