OLDER people who suffer a fall are getting some of the best hospital treatment in the country at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, a report says.

And those attending the Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax are also given special treatment.

The hospitals, which care for more than 5,000 falls patients a year, have emerged in the top 25% of hospitals in the country for their performance.

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) conducted a nationwide audit around the country's hospitals to find out how the treatment for falls and bone health for older people is delivered.

All hospitals were assessed in six key areas.

The average score nationally was 63. Huddersfield Royal Infirmary scored 90 and Calderdale 78.

Dr Karen Goodman, consultant in elderly medicine in Calderdale, said: "This reflects not only a passion and commitment to provide a valued service locally but a platform to improve this further."

Dr Ed Sliwo, consultant in elderly medicine at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, said: "This is a good boost to maintain and continue to develop our current services in relation to this very important health issue."

Areas assessed by the RCP included how many staff are committed to the falls service, how many elderly patients are assessed for their falls risk and the range of services falls patients received.

These included back-up support after a fall from dieticians, audiologists, optometrists and physiotherapists to help prevent a further fall.

The report concluded that nationally there was a "mixed picture" of services with shortcomings in organisation of the service, not enough screenings and inadequate prevention of osteoporosis measures.

The Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust has always been at the forefront nationally of falls treatment.

Last year a national conference was held at the Cedar Court Hotel in Huddersfield with delegates from all over the country examining the issue and looking at how the treatments can be improved.

The Duchess of Cornwall, president of the Osteoporosis Society, sent a message of support backing the Trust's pioneering work in the field.

Nurse consultant for Older People Dianne Lewis was awarded the MBE for her work with falls patients in Calderdale and Huddersfield.