FRONTLINE staff at Basildon Hospital have urged the public to stick to the rules and have spoken out after a "really challenging time" during Christmas and New Year.

The deputy CEO of Basildon Hospital, Tom Abell, and Jennifer Kirwan, a paramedic, have warned the public to stay apart and say "there is nothing to be nervous about" when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

This comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock visited the hospital last week.

Mr Abell, told the Department for Health and Social Care, said: "Christmas and the New Year has been a really challenging time for us here in Essex.

"We've seen a huge amount of demand from Covid patients, but we're working really hard to keep our critical care services and our respiratory services safe, and also making sure that we can care for patients who don't have Covid in our hospitals and care for them in a safe environment."

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Matt Hancock has now recognised Basildon Hospital as being "one of the highest performing vaccine sites in the country."

He wrote to Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price to confirm the good news.

Ms Kirwan, added: "Normally I'd be out on the road in an ambulance.

"I'm in the hospital, working to deliver the vaccines to get as many people as we can to get through the door.

"I've just been working 12 hour shifts, coming in and hopefully trying to get this country back on its feet."