Around a year ago, the first patient with Covid-19 was treated at Great Western Hospital.

Since then, GWH staff have ramped up their efforts to cope with unprecedented challenges.

GWH chief executive Kevin McNamara said: “Very rapidly, in just a few days, our hospital was transformed beyond recognition.

“Wards became dedicated Covid wards, caring for patients with a disease we’d never seen before.

“Our intensive care unit was expanded into space we used for Theatres to enable us to treat a much greater number of very sick patients than we had ever had to do before.”

Staff with clinical skills whose usual services were postponed were redeployed to help.

He added: “Our entire workforce learned to work in new and different ways.

“Across our organisation, a number of corporate staff stepped forward to support in clinical areas to help wards manage the pressures. They were also joined by new and returning volunteers.

“Many staff were themselves at high risk from coronavirus so were asked to shield or work at home and this was a really important response to the pandemic.

“Our primary care and community teams have been instrumental to helping patients to recover, with many people continuing to experience the effects of Covid many weeks and months later.

“They continue to visit patients in their own homes and across Swindon care and residential homes, offering ongoing care to our patients.

“This is an incredible achievement, and I am extremely proud of every member of our staff and volunteer whether they work in primary or community care, or at the hospital, on the frontline or behind the scenes for stepping forward when, quite rightly, we were asking others to step back and stay home. We’ve also worked closer with our colleagues across the region than ever before, and all staff working in the health and care sector and all key workers have done outstanding work. 

“I know the people of Swindon and north Wiltshire are proud too and we have been inundated with messages of thanks.

“The community and local businesses have shown us incredible support which has helped carry us all through the most testing of times. When staff are feeling tired, your messages of support go such a long way in rallying morale and lifting spirits. It truly reflects the spirit of Swindon.”

GWH became one of the first places in the world to administer the Covid vaccine.

Mr McNamara added: “I’m enormously proud of the team delivering these vaccinations – it literally is lifesaving work.

“In a time of unprecedented challenge both professionally and personally, our staff stepped forward and did what was needed to be done to save lives – and for many the memories of what this past year has been like will live with them for a long time and I encourage everyone to continue to show their support for their local NHS.”