Staff in a ward at Cirencester Hospital have won an award for their care and compassion while looking after Covid-19 patients during the ongoing pandemic.

The Coln Ward was nominated for a South West Health and Care Heroes award by Cotswolds Tory MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

Announcing today that the ward was one of ten award winners from 70 nominations across the region, an NHS spokesperson said: "The Coln ward team adapted to caring for COVID-19 patients while maintaining the highest levels of care and compassion.

"They took innovative approaches to ensuring patients remained connected with their loved ones, despite visiting restrictions.

"These include using iPads for virtual visits and moving beds to the window. For patients who sadly died, they provided a pair of crocheted hearts as a precious keepsake - one to stay with the patient, and the other for their loved ones to keep."

The Care and Compassion Award won by the ward team is supported by insurers LV.

The spokesperson added "The coronavirus pandemic, the greatest public health challenge in the NHS history, has helped prompt a record number of nominations from MPs across the country who have sought to shine a light on the dedication of nurses, midwives, GPs, physios, pharmacists, healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners, and countless other staff who have contributed to the unprecedented response."

Elizabeth O'Mahony, Regional Director of NHS England and NHS Improvement in the South West, said: "It's been a momentous year that's tested the NHS as never before, so it's fantastic to see the work of staff across the South West recognised in this way.

"Yes, the pandemic has dominated the headlines during 2020, but these awards are about far more than that. They show the breadth and diversity of the work that goes on, day in and day out, across the health service in the South West."