MEDICAL expert Dr Debbie Watkinson has jetted off to India to work alongside specialists in a new hospice for some of the world's poorest communities.

Dr Watkinson's month-long exchange visit to Bangalore, Southern India, started on Wednesday.

The specialist at the Florence Nightingale Hospice, Bierton Road, Aylesbury, will work with her Indian counterparts to help them develop their service.

As part of the trip Dr Watkinson, of Lycrome Road, Chesham, will also be involved in teaching and clinical auditing.

Dr Watkinson, who will join three nurses from other hospices, was particularly looking forward to seeing outreach work being undertaken in poorer areas.

She said: "I'm very pleased that I have got the opportunity to do this. The team are looking forward to exchanging skills, learning as much from those in India as they do from us."

The trip, which is being funded by Rotary International and Thames Valley District, will also see Dr Watkinson lecturing at a university medical school and visiting larger general hospitals in Bangalore.

Dr Watkinson added: "My thanks go to my sponsors Rotary International and also to Florence Nightingale House for allowing me to undertake this visit."