The Chief Executive of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has thanked staff and the South West community for all their hard work over the past week. 

Ken Wenman praised both staff and the local communities for pulling together and helping out hard working ambulance crews whilst they carried out their emergency responses, battling the elements during the extreme cold weather.

Ken praised his staff for their dedication and professionalism whilst working under such cold and difficult conditions – even just getting to work has seemed almost impossible at times.

“I’d like to thank our dedicated teams of volunteers and responders as well as the kind members of the public who had 4x4s and helped our crews to do their work during some exceptionally difficult conditions. 

“I have watched our teams go above and beyond their day-to-day frontline roles and have witnessed true commitment, compassion and dedication.

“I heard numerous examples of how many of our staff and members of the public showed true professionalism and duty of care to both patients and colleagues alike. There are too many names to mention individuals, but I want them to know that it is recognised and genuinely appreciated.

“It was an exceptionally difficult time for all of us in so many ways, thank you for giving so much.”

Some Twitter posts from staff @swasFT (see twitter for images) 

• ·       Well that was a challenging 48hrs as one of @swasFT Paramedic Operational Officers. Amazingly proud of all our staff giving their all and going the extra mile by getting in by any means required, responding to emergencies and keeping our stations and fleet operational. #teamwork 

• ·       Incredibly tired following #strategic commander duties. I am so proud of our teams, the challenges we’ve all faced over the past 48hrs are nothing ordinary #nhsworker #26hrshift#staysafe #peoplematter @swasFT #thankyouall

 ·       A crazy few days at work with #thebeastfromtheeast Very proud to work with such resilient amazing people! #NHS The communities have been amazing with helping to push vehicles, including ambulances and helping to dig pathways for patients! @swasFT 

The snow and ice has brought out the best in people. 

The community spirit and generosity that we've seen extended to our staff has been incredible. We are humbled and truly grateful to everyone who has offered such acts of kindness. Here are just a few.... 

• ·       John Todd spent from 7am to 9pm conveying staff into work and then again this morning from 5:45am until 9am.
• ·       Geoff Smith spent all day yesterday conveying staff to Amesbury Station.
• ·       Paul Conn of Bits & Pieces allowed ambulance vehicles to be parked securely after some became stuck due to the snow.
• ·       Simon Claisse and The Jockey Club in Cheltenham gave us five 4x4 vehicles and his staff made 13 trips around Gloucestershire conveying staff to ambulance stations and to the clinical control hub.
• ·       The Black Swan Inn in Devizes offered free accommodation to emergency services staff and gave a free room to one of our paramedics who couldn't get home.
• ·       Lee Mallen Capentry from Feniton collected the HEMS dispatchers to get them in for duty and Control hub staff, including a members of staff from Torquay
• ·       Steve Pack helped by using his 4x4 across the Dorset patch attending incidents, as well as checking Defibrillators were working

 You are all superstars, thank you all.