Nurse shows signs of improvement
Brave Pauline is no longer critically ill
Courageous Cambuslang nurse Pauline Cafferkey is no longer in a critical condition, according to the hospital in London who is treating the Ebola victim.
Thirty nine-year-old Pauline, who lives on Lightburn Road in Halfway, contracted the deadly virus after going on a charity mission to Sierra Leone.
She was diagnosed after returning to Glasgow. She was allowed to travel back to Cambuslang via taxi before realising her symptoms.
She was initially admitted to Gartnavel Hospital on December 29, then transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in London the followingg day.y
On Monday ( January 12) the hospital released a statement saying that Pauline, originally from Cowdenbeath, was showing signs of improvement and is no longer critically ill.
The news comes after it emerged that Pauline is being boosted by blood from the UK’s first victim, Will Pooley.
The family of Pauline released a statement asking for her privacy to be respected: “We would like to thank all our friends, family and the members of the public who have contacted us with support following Pauline’s diagnosis with Ebola. We have been very touched by the kind words.
“We want to thank all the staff caring for her for their kindness, support and compassion.”
Ru t h e r g l e n M P To m G re at re x welcomed the news that Pauline’s condition had improved. He also called on an investigation following comments from a frontline NHS staff member whistleblower , working in a Lanarkshire Accident and Emergency service, about the lack of preparedness for dealing with Ebola cases.
He said: “I have written to the new Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, Calum Campbell, asking that the concerns of the whistleblower are investigated immediately and that they are addressed. The Lanarkshire public, healthcare workers and patients deserve to have peace of mind, particularly when there is heightened concern about this terrible condition.”
A spokesperson for NHS Lanarkshire said their staff are “well prepared” for Ebola cases: “Preparations have included issuing staff with updated guidance on the management of patients with suspected ebola.
“Training in the use of personal p ro t e c t i v e e q u i p m e n t f o r N H S Lanarkshire staff started in October 2014. There has been regular practice of putting on and taking off protective equipment and we are carrying out a second round of refresher training for staff.
“We have also held a scenario planning event for staff who would be involved in the treatment of patients and carried out walk throughs in the hospitals to ensure we are fully prepared.”