Hospital bosses are thanking NHS staff for maintaining a “professional and cheerful approach” during one of the toughest winters in recent years.

Chris Long, Chief Executive of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said the winter months had been hugely challenging for the 8,000-strong workforce.

Increasing numbers of seriously ill patients with more than one health problem have been arriving at A&E over the winter, with frontline emergency teams under intense pressure to cope with demand.

Patients with serious respiratory conditions including flu have also been admitted to hospital, with dedicated teams of staff working extra shifts to provide safe care.

In his report to the trust board this month, Mr Long said: “Despite this, our staff maintain a professional and cheerful approach in their delivery of great care.”

He praised staff for taking the recent winter storm dubbed “The Beast from the East” in their stride, turning up for shifts to ensure patients were seen.

Staff from ophthalmology who wore their coats to stay at work when the heating broke down, radiotherapy staff at the Queen’s Centre who battled through blizzards to get from Sheffield, Brigg, Bridlington and Rotherham to get to work and estates staff who kept pathways and car parks clear were singled out for praise.

“While parts of the country were brought to a standstill by the recent wintry weather, many of our staff braved the wintry conditions to come to work,” Mr Long said.

“Once again, our staff in all areas continue to demonstrate their dedication.”

At the trust board meeting on Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer Ellen Ryabov said winter pressures showed no sign of abating as snow is forecast for Hull this weekend.

“We continue to be under a significant amount of pressure as are many trusts across the country,” she said.

“Staff have gone above and beyond to keep services running for patients and we are extremely grateful staff have managed to do that.”