Heart-warming messages boost morale of NHS staff after busiest ever winter

The most affectionate time of the year has prompted a flurry of heart-warming messages for the tireless NHS staff in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire.

People living across the area who have been helped during their moment of need have chosen to use this Valentine’s Day to pay thanks to those staff who showed kindness and compassion during what has been an exceptionally busy winter season.

These messages from the public are now being shared with colleagues directly, as well as their wider teams, to show there is a lot of love out there for the nation’s health service.

One such message, addressed to Helen Casey in the Neonatal Unit at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, read: “She is clinically brilliant.

“A person who can be trusted, smiles and offers positive support even in the worst-case scenarios.”

With Valentine’s Day falling at the end of this week, there is still time for people who would like to share a special thank you to join in with those who have already left a message of appreciation.

Gill May, Chief Nurse Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “This winter has been incredibly tough for all our health and care colleagues.

“I have absolutely no doubt that these heart-warming messages will go some way towards helping to boost morale and demonstrating to our staff just how valued they truly are by patients and their families.

“It’s been equally pleasing to see so many messages come in from local NHS staff, who have been moved to shout out their workmates, and shine a light on those who have gone above and beyond throughout some of the most testing circumstances.

“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of the NHS and work alongside so many heroic individuals, and I look forward to reading more words of appreciation over the coming days.”

The latest winter season has been the busiest on record for the NHS, with Professor Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, comparing the last few months to the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

The latest data has shown that for December 2024, there were approximately 800,000 ambulance call-outs across the country, and an equally staggering 2.35 million emergency department attendances.

As well as sending in kind words for NHS staff, the public can continue to show support for the local health and care system by always choosing the service most appropriate for their condition, or by using NHS 111 online when unsure of where to go.

People who would like to share words of appreciation can do so by filling in the form at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk/valentinesday25 or by sending an email to bswicb.communications@nhs.net.

All messages received will be shared with colleagues directly, as well as posted across the ICB’s Facebook and Instagram pages over the Valentine’s Day weekend.