It has been revealed that plans issued last month have put several hospitals, including some in Sheffield, on stand-by for an outbreak of ebola in the UK.

Health officials revealed yesterday that there are no plans to screen travellers entering the UK for the virus, as more than 100 Army medics prepare to travel to Sierra Leone to help tackle the epidemic, which has led to social unrest.

Last month, nurse William Pooley was successfully treated in an isolation unit at London's Royal Free Hospital after contracting Ebola while working in Sierra Leone.

Guidance issued to hospitals by NHS England last month shows that the Royal Free would treat anyone infected in a UK outbreak, with plans in place to transfer patients to hospitals in Newcastle, Sheffield and Liverpool if numbers increase.

The Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield has been chosen to treat patients.

Last night Mr Cameron spoke to the president of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma, who said the situation in his country continues to be "very serious".

Downing Street said the Prime Minister assured him the UK will continue to do everything it can to support his administration's efforts to battle the disease.

Britain has already provided aid totalling £125 million.

Officials stressed that the meeting in Whitehall was one of a regular series of meetings and had been in the PM's diary for some time.