Fear of Ebola: UK NHS Hospitals Put On Standy

Major NHS hospitals across UK have been put on standby, as health officials warn of a “real risk” that the deadly Ebola virus could spread to Britain. The Prime Minister will convene a meeting of the Government's Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday morning to discuss the growing threat to the UK from the spread of Ebola. It comes after a Spanish nurse became the first person to contract the disease outside Africa, and as the United States drew up plans to screen arrivals for the virus. On Tuesday, public health officials in this country ruled out such a move. Four major NHS hospitals in England have now been identified as units to take patients with Ebola if the need arises. Currently, just one unit has been established, in the Royal Free Hospital in north London, which treated William Pooley, a British nurse who contracted the virus in Sierra Leone in August.

Royal Liverpool University Hospital NHS foundation trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals foundation trust have now been identified as hospitals which could take Ebola patients if the virus reaches the UK. Thirty medical staff in Madrid are now being monitored for signs of the virus, with four people, including the nurse’s husband, placed in quarantine. Today, David Cameron will today chair an emergency meeting in Whitehall to discuss the growing threat to the UK. It comes after the World Health Organisation said more cases in Europe are now “quite unavoidable”. Ministers yesterday announced plans to send a humanitarian operation out to West Africa, to treat medics with the disease. Latest forecasts from US scientists warn of a 50 per cent chance that the virus could reach British shores within three weeks. Under NHS contingency plans, protective equipment will be sent to hospitals in Sheffield, Newcastle and Liverpool, if the need arises. Operational guidance from NHS England dated last month warns that there are only two high level containment beds available in the country - both in the Royal Free Hospital – with no isolation units available at all in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Universities and schools have also been sent advice warning them to look out for pupils showing signs of fever who have travelled from West Africa.