A RAGLAN woman has collected her OBE for services to nursing and healthcare in Wales after 30 years in the health service.

Karen Logan was named in the Queen's Birthday honours in June and was presented with her investiture by the Prince of Wales last Friday (19th November).

Karen, who qualified as a nurse in 1980 after studying at Cardiff University, spent the weekend in London with her husband Stuart and her parents.

"My mum was particularly proud because she is an ex-nurse," said Karen.

Karen works is a consultant nurse and head of continence services for Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

"I've been securing developments for people with bladder and bowel conditions and incontinence problems," said Karen.

"It's very much a Cinderella service and I have had to work very hard to champion the cause so it's wonderful to be recognised for the amount we have done over the past 10 years."

Karen has helped to set up specialist centres, from which her team can help patients deal with their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

"It was a huge surprise in the summer to find out I was getting an OBE, I thought it was a joke at first," Karen added.

"I was so excited about going to Buckingham Palace, I got butterflies in my stomach – I was so nervous.

"It was beautiful inside the palace and it was wonderful to share the day with my husband and parents.

"It was also lovely to meet the other recipients and to see everything that is going on be recognised in that way."