NHS staff slept on wards to ensure they kept running

NHS STAFF slept on wards to make sure they could be at work to keep hospital services running during the heavy snow.

Others went into work on their days off as hospitals managed to avoid cancelling operations.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS trust said many nursing staff visiting patients in their homes had to do so on foot because of the state of the roads.

A trust spokesperson said yesterday: “Appointments and operations are taking place as normal at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals today thanks to the tremendous efforts of all our staff.”

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust asked off-duty staff via social media to contact their manager to see if extra help was needed.

Chief Operating Officer Trudie Davies said: “We would like to thank all staff for their amazing efforts to get into work.”

Staff stayed overnight at Sunderland Royal Hospital, while others were brought in by volunteer drivers. Paediatric nurse Lisa Gerrett, 38, said: “I am on shift today and tomorrow and even if I could get home tonight, I would still have to manage to get in again in the morning, and I’d be relying on another four-by-four driver.

“If I stay, it means the driver can collect other nurses.”

A hospital spokeswoman said: “The camaraderie shown has been pretty amazing.”

Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals had not postponed any planned surgery or clinics but said some non-urgent passenger transport services had to be cancelled for safety reasons. Deputy Chief Operating Officer Michelle Veitch said: “We would like to pay tribute to our staff who continue to do an amazing job at this difficult time.

“Many are working additional hours and making a concerted effort to get to work to ensure their patients can continue to receive the care they require and services continue to operate as normal.”