It’s no secret that Southend Hospital and the entire NHS has been under significant pressures this winter...with hospital staff working harder than ever to ensure high quality care for every patient.

So when a patient on Castle Point Ward rewarded the staff for the fantastic care he received, they were blown away by his gesture.

He arranged for 50 tubs of chocolate and £200 worth of gift vouchers to be delivered to workers on the ward, which specialises in trauma and orthopaedics.

David Burch, 73, from Southend, arrived on the ward in a very poorly state.

After receiving excellent care by the staff - who he has branded “stars” - he is about to be discharged. His recuperation will continue at home.

Talking about his grand gesture, David said: “It was the least I could do because they’ve been great here.

“All the staff are so kind and caring and I can’t fault them in any way. I really think they do a great job and are all stars.

“When you think how much pressure the NHS and the hospital is under, yet all the staff are still smiling.“

Castle Point ward manager, Julie Edwards, said the gift has given staff a much-needed boost after a difficult Christmas and New Year working in the hospital, in Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff.

She said: “As with all other departments we have had a very busy Christmas and New Year.

“We’ve never had so many chocolates from just one patient.

“All staff on the ward feel uplifted and it’s amazing that a patient could be so generous, thoughtful and mindful of how hard we all work to ensure our patients receive the best care in these challenging times.”

The Castle Point Ward, based on the eighth floor, has 35 beds, with staff caring for patients with a wide range of bone injuries, including server soft tissue damage.