STAFF at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital were treated to free ice cream as the heatwave continued.

NHS staff are under pressure with demand for A&E at GWH increasing, while the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust had its second busiest weekend ever last week.

Around 100 workers are off because of Covid-19 or self-isolation.

With temperatures continuing to soar into the 30s, staff were able to take a brief break and enjoy an ice cream provided to them by the hospital.

A spokesperson from the hospital said: “In recognition of our staff who are working incredibly hard in the hot weather, chief executive Kevin McNamara and the trust's charity Brighter Futures, shared their thanks by arranging for an ice cream van to come to the hospital on Thursday with free ice creams for all staff and volunteers."

NHS workers also received the news that they’d be getting a 3 per cent pay rise to mark the ‘unprecedented times’ they have worked through.