EMERGENCY services, hospital staff, council workers and an unsung army of volunteers and Good Samaritans all helped Dorset through last week's severe weather drama.

As Storm Emma conjoined with the Beast From the East, hundreds of people also joined forces in a bid to keep the county's vulnerable safe and well.

From the private residents who answered calls to help at Bournemouth Hospital, to the emergency service workers who went the extra mile, hundreds of local heroes have mucked in over the past few days.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Tony Spotswood said: "From the point of view of our staff we have had an absolutely fabulous response, I've spoken to many staff who have walked many miles - people who have walked over two hours - just to get into work.

"People have worked late and slept overnight, either in local hotels or indeed in the hospital.

"The staff have shown a magnificent response to the weather and the pressures."

Praise was also heaped on the local community from the hospital chief.

"We've had more than 250 volunteers who have come in, using their 4x4 vehicles, and helped us, both in terms of bringing staff into the hospital and getting staff home at the end of their shifts.

"We've also had some of them take patients home, to compensate for some of the difficulties faced by emergency transport - they've supported us fantastically well."

Volunteer drivers provided transport to more than 50 patients leaving the hospital, freeing up beds for emergency admissions.

Mr Spotswood said: "I met a consultant very early in the morning who was coming into the hospital with a suitcase because he didn't know how long he was going to stay on Friday morning."

The hospital is looking to get back to normal as much as possible from today. (Monday, March 5)

"I anticipate we will be providing a broad range selective surgery as we would normally, we will be running the vast majority of our outpatient clinics," said Mr Spotswood.

Consultant Dr Abi Banfield created a large sign in a bid to get to work, and local builder, Robbie, made sure she got to the hospital safely.

Cathy, a ward clerk, walked five miles from Mudeford to ensure patients were not let down.

Another ward clerk walked more than seven miles to get in for his shift.

Dorset Police Chief Superintendent Ben Hargreaves echoed many of Mr Spotswood's sentiments.

The police chief said: "It has been a testing few days and I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding.

"The conditions have been horrendous, particularly on Thursday afternoon through to Friday, but we have been working very closely with all our partner agencies to try and keep everyone as safe as possible."

As well as responding to emergencies, the neighbourhood policing teams are still out in communities speaking to people, offering advice and reassuring the public. Most are on foot, although specialist vehicles are being used, particularly in the very rural areas in the north and west of the county.

In Wimborne officers attended the address of an elderly man to check his welfare as his carers were prevented from attending due to the driving conditions. They stayed with the man until an ambulance arrived to check him over and helped to clear the driveway so paramedics could easily park.

Police community support officers (PCSOs) in Poole were out and about clearing snow from driveways and pavements and pushing cars out of the snow. One PCSO, who was off duty at the time, helped to walk an elderly man back to his home address along the icy footpaths.

The chief superintendent added: "I want to also thank our amazing officers and staff who have been going above and beyond their duty. Many of whom have walked to their local station through the snow and who have stayed on late and even overnight until colleagues have relieved them from duty."

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