Staff at Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchinbrooke say they have been overwhelmed and humbled with the kindness and support that they have received during the pandemic, with community groups providing resources for the hospitals

Cambs Times: Steven Cooper and Donna Martin run the domestic cleaning service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn. Their colleagues have praised the efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: QEHSteven Cooper and Donna Martin run the domestic cleaning service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn. Their colleagues have praised the efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: QEH (Image: Archant)

Community groups such as the scouts, guides, Friends of Peterborough Hospital, the WI and the national Facebook group called ‘For the Love of Scrubs’ and many others have donated resources such as scrubs, hats, caps, laundry bags and ear savers to provide the much needed extra equipment.

Kate Martin, Trust Soft FM Monitoring Officer, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the feeling of community spirit and support. We are so incredibly grateful to the individuals, groups and companies who have diverted their energy, time and resources into supporting our hospitals and staff.

Eric Fehily, estates and facilities firector added: “We are proud to support, and in turn be supported by our local communities, and we are sincerely thankful for every kindness that has been shown to us.

“However. as we approach recovery stage we don’t need any additional donations but would like to say a massive thank you and express how grateful for the extraordinary response from staff and the public.”

At King’s Lynn, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital have been recognishing their domestic staff who they describe as the “the unsung COVID-19 heroes”.

A spokesman said: “Playing a key role in the day-to-day running of every hospital, domestics are reducing the spread of infection through deep cleans and regular upkeep of all areas”.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, the team at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn has seen their workload quadruple.

Donna Mason and Steven Cooper oversee the 237 staff that makes up the QEH domestic team - the second largest team in the Trust.

Donna said: .”The outbreak has been a real eye-opener. In April 2019, we were doing 360 infection cleans per month; fast-forward a year to this April, and we are doing over 1200 infection cleans. The domestics are working on the frontline with clinical; they are donning their PPE and cracking on with their jobs - and for that, we are extremely proud.”