A GUISELEY doctor is poised to become one of the country’s first recipients of a new medal recognising the bravery and hard work of thousands of people who helped tackle Ebola in West Africa.

Professor John Wright was among the initial wave of British medics who travelled from the UK to work in the high-risk area of Sierra Leone in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly disease. He had the task of setting up an Ebola Treatment Centre out in the bush ready for patients.

This is the first time a medal has been created specifically to recognise those who have tackled a humanitarian crisis, and is in recognition of the highly dangerous environment workers were required to enter.

Professor Wright, who is married and has three grown up daughters, is clinical epidemiologist at Bradford Royal Infirmary and director of Bradford Institute for Health Research.

He said: "In October last year, the world was facing its biggest public health emergency in modern history.

"Staff from the NHS stepped up to be the first volunteers on the frontline of the war against Ebola, and I was privileged to join them and the Sierra Leonian doctors and nurses, who put their lives at daily risk to contain the deadly epidemic.

"I am honoured to receive this medal as a tribute to the NHS and its values and the people of Sierra Leone."

The medal is expected to go to more than 3,000 people and has been designed by John Bergdahl, who has been an engraver for more than 40 years, and who recently designed a new coin set to celebrate the birth of Prince George. His design was chosen following a competition run by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee. It shows a flame on a background depicting the Ebola virus – above this are the words 'For Service' and below 'Ebola Epidemic West Africa'.

The reverse side bears a portrait of the Queen designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

The medal will be awarded to military and civilian personnel, who have been tackling Ebola on behalf of the UK in West Africa, such the armed forces, doctors and nurses from the NHS, laboratory specialists and members of the civil service and non-governmental organisations.

Professor Wright will travel to Downing Street next month where the Prime Minister, David Cameron, will host a summer reception to congratulate him and his colleagues in person.

Mr Cameron, said: "The Ebola outbreak was one of the most devastating epidemics of our generation, but we managed to stop its spread thanks to the hard work of British people who travelled to West Africa.

"As a result of their efforts, many lives were saved and the outbreak contained.

"This medal is about paying tribute to those people. They put themselves at considerable personal risk and we owe them a debt of gratitude."