Dedicated nurse Betty Davis was due to retire after clocking up 35 years.

Instead, the 60-year-old carried on working during the height of the pandemic despite contracting the virus herself.

The Gillingham resident fell ill in March but was back doing shifts at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London a month later.

She said: "The trust has looked after me so well over the years, so I wanted to give back and do my part."

For nurses starting out in the profession, Betty’s advice is: “You can become a patient tomorrow so treat people how you would want to be treated.

"Treat colleagues like brothers and sisters, and patients like your mother and father – you are here to do a service.”

Betty qualified as a nurse in January 1985 and took up a post in the elderly care ward at The Royal London Hospital.

She then joined the British Nursing Association which led to her taking agency shifts at Guy's and St Thomas.

She went on to study for a degree in psychology in Devon in 1989 but continued to travel to London for shifts.

The 60-year-old, who took up a permanent position at the trust almost 16 years ago, said: “Throughout my career, I’ve met amazing colleagues and patients and been inspired by them. The thing I take away with me is everybody is unique and you get out of life what you put into it.”

Betty works in the ear nose and throat department of the hospitals.

She added: “When I’m not nursing I’m fundraising. Over the years I’ve helped to raise thousands of pounds for Macmillan and charities that support people with HIV, lupus and homelessness.”

"She does it because she wants to help and she cares. Betty is the essence of a true nurse."

Shirley Mullings, ENT outpatient sister, was trained by Betty when she was a newly-qualified nurse in 2010.

She said: “Betty is the same person since the first day I met her. She is always kind and respectful and lives and breathes the trust values and behaviours.

"She does it because she wants to help and she cares. Betty is the essence of a true nurse.”

Betty’s not ready to give up working completely and plans to take on some bank shifts.

She will also continue with her poetry writing and work in her local church and community.

Read more: all the latest news from Medway