The Health Secretary has thanked the NHS and social care staff for all their work during the country's big freeze. Andy Burnham recognised that extra staff had to be put on and that it presented extra challenges for them.

He also referred to the last year's problems with swine flu saying: “The resilience the NHS as a whole has demonstrated is a tribute to all those who work for it. It also shows how the strength of planning for swine flu and winter pressures has brought wider dividends this year.”

Many roads around the country were closed due to the weather, making it difficult to get to hospitals and doctor's surgeries for those who needed social care. Mr Burnham praised carers who made the extra effort to visit their patients in the freezing weather.

“For those of you contending with transport disruptions and school closures, just getting to work will have been a challenge. So to all of you who have gone the extra mile and to all of you who I know will continue to treat patients and to care for people using social care services to the very best of your abilities during the rest of winter, I would like to offer my sincere thanks and ongoing support.”

Social carers still remain in high demand and have a very rewarding job, proving their commitment to the job in the recent cold snap.