The doors of Bradford Royal Infirmary were thrown open yesterday to allow the public a real chance to see the work going on and hear about plans to improve services in the future. Health Reporter Claire Lomax went along to take a look.

If you don't know your fibula from your femur or your BMI from your blood pressure then Bradford Royal Infirmary was the place to be yesterday.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation which manages the hospital, staged its first ever open event and hundreds of people took advantage of the opportunity to quiz staff, including managers and clinicians, on what is happening in their hospital.

Field House on the BRI site was transformed for the Partners in Health event and visitors took part in interactive displays, viewed exhibits and toured hospital areas and demonstrations throughout the afternoon.

Karen Francis, matron on the orthopaedic unit, manned an eye-catching display, complete with full-scale skeleton, on which visitors attempted to identify different bones in return for a certificate.

"People are really enjoying it," she said. "The whole event is fantastic and the attendance is overwhelming.

"It is a new event so we didn't know what to expect but the public are interested and joining in. It is really exciting."

Occupational therapists carried out blood pressure and height and weight checks to display just some of the work they do to keep people healthy; dieticians challenged people to identify foods lowest in fat and infection control nurses used ultra-violet cream to check how well people wash their hands.

Nearly every department of the hospital was represented - from cancer services and elderly care to volunteer groups, pharmacy and medical illustration.

Partner organisations such as local primary care trusts, social services, West Yorkshire Fire Service and the ambulance service were also represented.

Work on the event began nine months ago when the Foundation Trust's board of governors began its planning.

Nora Whitham, vice-chairman of the board of governors, said: "It has been hard work but it has been worth it.

"All the hospital staff have been very supportive and that is important. This gives us all a chance to see what the staff can do.

"If you live in Bradford this is your hospital and the public needs to understand they should be participating and helping to build services for the future."

Philip Beckett, a patient at the hospital, went to find out what was going on. He said: "I am a patient here so I think it is a good idea to let people see what they are doing."

John Hansen, of Wilsden, said: "I am curious to know the work the Trust is doing. My wife is a public governor so I hear a lot about what is going on but I wanted to see if for myself.

"I know a huge amount of work has gone into this and I wanted to see it displayed."

The event started with the Trust's annual meeting, at which chairman David Richardson outlined how the Trust had worked towards it promised objectives to be more consultative, strengthen its board of directors, reform the way of working of the board of governors, achieve financial stability and launch the Born in Bradford research project, which will put the hospital on the map.

He concluded by saying: "We are looking forward to being the hospital of first choice for the region."

Chief executive Miles Scott reiterated how far the Trust had come since its recent financial woes, which saw it record a deficit of £8 million in 2004/05.

He said the Trust had achieved sustainable financial stability without compromising patient services.

Outlining achievements such as the opening of an acute stoke unit in June 2005, new treatments for angina patients, the introduction of the world's most advanced CT scanner and reducing MRSA rates, he said the Trust was building strong foundations for the future.

He told visitors how the performance improvement plan had reduced costs by £6m in this financial year and the Trust was committed to working smarter and not just harder.

Important relationships with external bodies such as the Trust's paymaster, the primary care trusts, had improved, he said, and he reported the Trust was meeting all national standards for waiting times and in the next year would ensure no patient waits more than 18 weeks from seeing their GP to receiving hospital treatment.

"I have been at the Foundation Trust since August 2005 and in that time I have been extremely impressed by the commitment of our staff at all levels," he said.

"Our new corporate strategy outlines how we will continue to develop our hospitals and services over the next five years. I know we have the drive, skills and experience to achieve our goals."

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk