Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has been in contact with Dominic Dodd, chair of the Royal Free Hospital Trust, to seek assurances that all possible measures will be taken to prevent the spread of the Ebola infection after William Pooley, a British nurse who caught the disease while working in a hospital in Sierra Leone, was admitted to the hospital over the weekend.
Ms Villiers said: "When I received the news that an Ebola patient was to be flown in from Sierra Leone and admitted to the Royal Free Hospital, I immediately contacted the chair of the hospital trust, Dominic Dodd. I emphasised how vital it is that every precaution is taken to prevent the spread of the infection. I also stressed the importance of keeping NHS staff and the public informed about the situation so that they can be confident that the risk of infection in this country continues to be low."
"I shall monitor the situation very carefully. Many of my constituents use the Royal Free Hospital Trust and the recent merger of the Royal Free Hospital Trust with Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital means that we have a strong local interest in ensuring the Ebola case is handled effectively."
"I send my best wishes to Mr Pooley for a full recovery. His work in caring for Ebola patients was incredibly brave. His family must be very proud of him. I’m sure he is getting the best possible care at the Royal Free.”
The Royal Free has the only high level isolation unit in the country where Ebola patients can be treated. Updates can be found on the hospital's website at http://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/.