Nurses praised for fighting through snow and ice to reach patients
Posted 04 February 2019 - 13:50
England’s chief nursing officer hails staff for going to ‘extraordinary lengths’
Nurses have been praised for their dedication in recent days as snow and ice brought some parts of the UK to a standstill.
Some nurses walked miles in snow, dug their vehicles out of drifts and slept in hospitals to ensure patients continued to get the care they required.
While the snow and ice has mostly cleared across the UK today, parts of Scotland are still experiencing challenging weather.
Going above and beyond
England’s chief nursing officer Ruth May praised NHS staff for going to ‘extraordinary lengths’ during the freezing conditions.
'The dedication of nurses, midwives, ambulance workers, doctors and all health and care staff is something that we should be proud of,’ she said.
‘All of them regularly go above and beyond to ensure patients get the care and treatment they need whatever the weather.’
Twitter tales
Social media users also hailed nurses’ efforts, and nurses themselves posted photographs of their journeys to reach patients.
Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust senior community nurse Kim Way posted a picture of herself in the snow on her way to work:
Not even the snow can stop the South Cotswold District Nursing Team @theRCN @Glos_CareNHS pic.twitter.com/dPHrm1gum5
— Kim Way (@KimWay18) February 1, 2019
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust tweeted about its staff’s dedication in extreme weather:
It's a little chilly out there but that won't slow us down! Our district nurses are braving the #snow to make sure patients are cared for no matter the weather. #WinterIsHere #Snowmaggedon pic.twitter.com/wkyavktXcs
— Oxford Health NHS FT (@OxfordHealthNHS) February 1, 2019
And Ben Hennessy posted a photograph of his wife setting off to work:
This is my wife going to work. She’s a #nurse and despite the #snow, she’s still going to visit patients, albeit on foot. The #NHS is bloody lucky to have the thousands of people who will be doing the same thing this morning. #snowday #cantstopanurse #committed pic.twitter.com/Ytu5lfdzr4
— Ben Hennessy (@benhen555) February 1, 2019
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