A trainee solicitor is back at her desk after a week-long deployment manning an emergency medical post in earthquake-hit Indonesia.

Rose Ann O'Shea, from commercial law firm Beachcroft LLP in Bristol, has returned from seven days in Padang where she volunteered as a member of the UK International Search and Rescue team.

Alongside 64 other expert volunteers comprising firefighters from a number of UK fire services and five other clinicians, Rose Ann was called up with just hours notice as part of the international rescue and relief effort.

A former nurse and paramedic turned lawyer, Rose Ann's responsibility was to ensure the health and wellbeing of the rescue teams.

In addition, she helped to treat local people unable to access any other medical care since the devastating 7.0-quake hit in September. This is her second deployment with the team; her first was to Pakistan in 2005.

She said: "It was quite a culture shock. The team was working under high temperatures in a pair of canvas tents which doubled as our sleeping quarters and which became flooded at night due to torrential rain. As medics with UKISAR our primary role is to treat the fire service volunteers, which in this instance was mainly for the effects of heat exhaustion and dehydration working in 96 per cent humidity.

"On this occasion we were not called upon to treat any quake survivors but we did offer assistance to local people suffering from a range of conditions such as abdominal pain, primary care illnesses and head injuries. We were also able to distribute large amounts of humanitarian aid such as water purification tablets and shelters. It was a tough week both emotionally and physically but it was also hugely rewarding. Rarely do we have the chance to make such an immediate impact to improve people's lives and I feel very privileged."

The 44-year-old from Long Ashton worked as a nurse for more than 27 years, ultimately becoming a consultant nurse in emergency care, before taking on a new direction and training to be a lawyer. She has retained her nursing and paramedic registrations and regularly undertakes weekend clinical shifts in addition to her work as a trainee in Beachcroft's health property team.