One of our nurses, who swapped the wards for treating wounded soldiers in Afghanistan, has been honoured by the military.

Helen Derrick, 39, has been given an Operational Medal for volunteering to work in an intensive care unit at Camp Bastion.

She worked 70 hour weeks and shared a tent and living space with nine others during her trip.

Helen, who works on our Burns Unit, was selected from hundreds of applicants for the role.

She has no relatives in the armed forces, and says she decided to volunteer to get ‘out of her comfort zone’.

She said: “I saw a talk by a woman who had done this before and I thought ‘that’s what I want to do’. I enjoy challenges, and it was a real jump out of my comfort zone.”

The army needed more nurses to work in intensive care units, an area Helen had specialised in for 20 years.

She says the experience has increased her respect for the troops. She said: “When we had hardship and difficult living conditions, you can’t complain because out there are troops who have it much worse.

“They are the most amazing people, laying their lives down. I am really proud of them.”