SECURITY guards could be used to step up enforcement of the smoking ban at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Health chiefs at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust have revealed plans to tackle the long-standing problem of smokers in doorways at the Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital.

All NHS premises must be smoke-free except in designated smoking shelters.

But with most shelters tucked away in car parks, hospitals still suffer from patients, visitors and staff breaking the rules.

A report to managers at the trust says they have received 17 formal complaints about second-hand smoke between April 2012 and January this year – with 15 relating to the infirmary.

Complainants said they felt like they were “running the gauntlet” as they entered the premises through “clouds of cigarette smoke”.

Some said they had been verbally abused when they had confronted smokers in the main entrance at HRI.

One said they had asked security guards to intervene but had been told they did not have the power to do so.

But the trust has now proposed that its security guards do take responsibility for clamping down on those who light up illegally.

The report also reveals the trust could request Kirklees Council enforcement officers and local police officers to target areas where people refuse to comply with smoking laws.

Other plans to tackle the problem include an increase in the number of smoking shelters – some of which will be placed as near to entrances and exits as legally allowed.

At HRI the main entrance will get a new larger smoking shelter in June with the existing one relocated to the south drive.

A new shelter is also planned for by the Medical Assessment Unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital.

Health chiefs have also promised to remind staff that they are banned from smoking in their uniforms, both on site and anywhere in public.

Proposals for a smoking room for patients – as allowed in some hospices and care homes – have been ruled out as hospitals are not eligible for the exemption.

Lesley Hill, the trust’s director of planning, performance, estates and facilities, said: “Talks are very much at an early stage over enforcement issues and nothing has been finalised as yet.

“Any enforcement will be carried out in the appropriate manner reminding smokers to use the shelters provided.

“We are committed to finding a way to protect staff, visitors and patients from the effects of second-hand smoke as the vast majority of them do not wish to inhale second-hand smoke in the hospital entrances.”