STAFF at Oxfordshire’s hospitals have been praised for going “above and beyond” for the county’s patients.

Workers at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre armed themselves with shovels and sleeping bags as they battled to carry on working despite some of the heaviest Snow in the county in 30 years.

Physiotherapists at the Windmill Way hospital helped shovel out patients and colleagues trying to leave the snow-clogged car park.

Meanwhile, nurses, volunteered for extra shifts and bedded down for the night in makeshift beds to make sure wards remained staffed.

Nurses at the Horton General Hospital, in Banbury, as well as the Churchill and John Radcliffe in Headington, have also been commended.

Staff at the Silver Star unit were given particular praise by readers who called the Oxford Mail.

Andrew McLaughlin, chief operating officer, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust said: “I am delighted our Silver Star nurses have been nominated as Oxford Mail Snow Heroes; they do a fantastic job providing specialist services to expectant mothers and their babies.

“All of our staff have made exceptional efforts throughout the last few days, some travelling for hours to get to work to treat patients, some sleeping in staff accommodation to ensure they can make it work the next day.”

One reader, Jim Mair, rang us to praised community nurses, in particular Dianne Kay, who battled through the snow from Faringdon to treat him at his home in Cuddesdon Way.

Have you got a snow hero you want to nominate? Call our newsdesk on 01865 425445.