The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Ebola nurse tells of stress over inquiry
Investigation: Pauline Cafferkey still waiting for conclusion of case after 18 months
Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey has spoken of her stress over misconduct allegations that remain unresolved more than 18 months on from her return to the UK with the virus.
The Scottish medical worker was infected while working with the sick in Sierra Leone in December 2014, at the height of the ebola crisis.
She flew back to the UK that month and went on to spend almost a month being treated in an isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
She made a recovery but was readmitted to hospital twice after suffering complications linked to the disease, at one stage falling critically ill.
In February last year it emerged that the regulatory body the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) was investigating Ms Cafferkey’s conduct after being passed information by Public Health England (PHE).
A preliminary hearing – in which she was allowed to continue to work – took place the following month but the case has not yet moved to a full hearing and remains at the investigation stage.
The body has the power to strike people off the professional register.
Ms Cafferkey told the Sunday Telegraph she would like to see matters resolved.
She told the newspaper: “The report on how they are dealing with my case is still ongoing.
“I don’t know why it has not been finished. It’s very stressful. It would be nice to have closure.”
The NMC said it was working with the nurse and her representatives to achieve a resolution.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm that the NMC case regarding allegations of misconduct against Pauline Cafferkey is ongoing.
“We are working closely with Ms Cafferkey and her representatives to ensure we reach a resolution as quickly as possible that meets the public interest.
“As the case is ongoing, we are not able to comment further.”
Ms Cafferkey has previously told how she feared she might “die a horrible death” after contracting the virus.
She said she still had no idea how she caught ebola but insisted she has no regrets about her decision to volunteer in the West African country.
The Scot was discharged from hospital at the end of February this year after being treated for the third time following a complication.
She had previously been treated for meningitis caused by ebola.
It’s very stressful. It would be nice to have closure. PAULINE CAFFERKEY