THE Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT) has been presented with a signed canvas in recognition of its support for the Territorial Army medical services.

Handing over the painting, Colonel Marty Slade, commanding officer of 243 (The Wessex) Field Hospital (Volunteers), said: "This presentation is a thank you for the contribution to military medical operations worldwide through the trust's support of the Territorial Army medical services. It is also about recognising the co-operation that exists between the TA and the NHS."

There are 13 Cornish NHS staff currently in the TA, with four working in a range of roles, including emergency medicine and community nursing at the RCHT. The staff have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and all take part in operational duties. Midwife Major Jo Jayes, from Helston, a TA member for 20 years, signed up in the wake of the Gulf War and since then has been on tour in Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus and Germany.

She said: "As well as caring for our personnel we have also looked after the local population and their children so I have delivered a baby while out on tour."

Jo has worked in Basra and Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, where British soldiers wounded while in combat in Helmand Province are treated.