Health watchdogs in Croydon have written to Mayday Hospital staff to praise their efforts over the recent flu-plagued weeks.

The unusual step has been warmly received by hospital staff who have been battling against a rising tide of admissions as the flu outbreak sweeps across the country.

The praise for their "sterling" efforts is particularly noteworthy because the Croydon Community Health Council (CCHC), which looks after patients' rights, is renowned for its pro-active and sometimes critical stance - sometimes directed towards the hospital.

In an open letter to all staff "expressing our heartfelt gratitude and admiration," Pat Massey, CCHC chairman, said: "We are all particularly conscious of the pressure faced by nurses and doctors in the Accident and Emergency department of course, but we also appreciate that it takes a supreme effort from all staff, from porters, technicians, receptionists and managers etc to keep the show on the road.

"We are impressed at the progress that has been made in the last 18 months in addressing emergency pressures. We hope you can find a way of passing on this message to all your staff."

Although Mayday postponed some non-emergency operations, staff have coped well during the recent winter crisis with many working overtime to cover for sick colleagues and 88 new beds opening in the last 14 months.

Casualty consultant, Mr Hashemi, said: "A & E is where it all happened and the credit should go to the nurses.

They are the ones who have shouldered most of the difficulties and most of the work."

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