AN INSPIRATIONAL doctor who led the first NHS volunteers in the fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone has been honoured by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Dr Amy Hughes, 35, from Nailsworth, has been named as the UK’s 200th Point of Light – an award that recognises outstanding individuals who are making a change to communities and inspiring others.

Receiving her award last week from Mr Cameron, Dr Hughes said: “I feel immensely honoured to receive the Point of Light award and I accept it, recognising local and international colleagues who have inspired me, and others, through their ongoing passion and dedication to the Ebola response and many other humanitarian emergencies.”

Dr Hughes works with UK-Med, a national organisation coordinating NHS volunteers deploying to Sierra Leone as part of the UK’s response to treat those with the virus. She led the first group of NHS volunteers to the West African country in November.

Her responsibilities included making sure that staff are trained to provide the best possible care to those suffering with the disease while staying as safe as possible.

Two days after being presented with her award at a special reception in Downing Street, Dr Hughes flew back to rejoin volunteers in Sierra Leone.

Mr Cameron said: “It is hard to put into words just how inspirational remarkable volunteers like Amy are. In the face of considerable personal risk, they see only the dreadful suffering caused by Ebola and are driven to do everything they can to alleviate it.

“Amy’s selfless commitment is a credit to the NHS and Britain as a whole. I am proud to name her the UK’s 200th Point of Light.”

More than 8,000 lives have been lost to Ebola across West Africa. The Department for International Development (DIFD) has committed over £230 million to help tackle the disease and has so far supported over 100 NHS staff through UK-Med to travel overseas.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “Dr Amy Hughes is a brave and dedicated humanitarian.

“She is a shining example of the selfless spirit of Britain’s NHS workers. Her passion for this life-saving work has inspired other British doctors and nurses to join the UK’s fight against Ebola. With their help we can defeat this terrible disease.”