STAFF at hospitals in the county have received a big 'thank you' for their work helping patients through their journey in hospital.

Staff working on-call at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust this week received celebratory cake and certificates from the trust’s chief executive, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer, congratulating them on their hard work.

On-call matrons and managers remain contactable, although off duty, to provide professional advice and help to colleagues. During busy winter months, at the Alexandra, Kidderminster and Worcestershire Royal hospitals, on-call staff often find themselves working throughout their on-call shifts to minimise delays in treatment and deliver the best possible patient care.

The recognition was given as part of the Big Thank You, which is a monthly award recognising frontline staff.

Chief operating officer, Stewart Messer, said: "This is a heartfelt thanks for the work on-call staff have done, in what has been and will continue to be very challenging circumstances over the winter period. They really have all gone above and beyond the call of duty and deserve thanks for the effort and hours they’ve put in."