Volunteers driving 4x4s queue up to help NHS staff get to and from hospital in the snow

NHS says it is 'overwhelmed with the amount of support'

A queue of 4x4s formed as the drivers waited to take nurses home at the end of their shifts (PHIL HATCHER-MOORE/AFP/Getty Images)

NHS staff have praised 4x4 drivers who volunteered to take nurses to and from hospitals in the snow.

A queue of 4x4s formed as the drivers waited to take nurses home at the end of their shifts following an appeal on social media.

Snow over the weekend caused staff shortages and the Heart of England trust, which represents hospitals in Birmingham and Solihull, asked on Twitter: "Do you have a 4x4 and can volunteer to help our nurses get into our hospitals at good hope or heartlands pls give us a call. Thanks."

Good Hope Hospital, in Sutton Coldfield, serves northern Birmingham, while Heartlands hospital is based in Bordesley Green, in the east of the city.

The Dudley Group, which represents hospitals north of Birmingham, also put out an appeal: "It looks very pretty but the snow is causing transport problems for our staff if you have a 4x4 and can help get staff in please call."

The Dudley Group said its online appeal was shared by thousands of people and over 70 volunteers with 4x4s turned up to help.

Diane Wake, the group's chief executive, told The Independent in a statement: "We are overwhelmed with the amount of support we have received from all the volunteers across the local community who have come forward to help transport our staff to and from work.

"We have received a huge amount of support from over 70 volunteers with 4x4 vehicles and the West Midlands 4x4 response team following a plea for help on social media which was shared by thousands of people.

"The volunteers have helped to keep our services running by making sure our staff can get to and from work. We are also very fortunate that staff at the Trust have made every effort to come into work as normal and our district nurses have been walking to patients’ homes where necessary."

Sarah-Jane Marsh, chief executive of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The support we've received from the public has been simply amazing.

"More than 200 people with 4x4 vehicles have offered their time to help our staff with their journeys to and from work, made almost impossible in some cases because of the weather conditions.

She added: "We have been both humbled and overwhelmed by the response to our appeals. We can't thank everyone who has helped enough.

"That community spirit has also been matched by the dedication and commitment shown by our teams across our Trust. I've heard so many inspiring stories, including many colleagues who have walked several miles to ensure they were here to care for our patients and families. I am just so proud of everyone."

Fiona Billingham shared a picture on social media showing a queue of 4x4s waiting to take NHS staff home.

"A line of amazing people in their 4x4s waiting to take NHS staff home tonight," she wrote on Twitter.

Birmingham Updates, which shared the appeals, said Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Heart of England Trust Hospitals had been "inundated with offers."