British nurse who nearly died after contracting Ebola in west Africa could be struck off if charges are proved against her

Pauline Cafferkey, the nurse who nearly died after contracting Ebola as a volunteer in west Africa, has been charged by a regulatory body with concealing her high temperature when she returned to the UK.



Cafferkey, hailed as a hero for her work in the Ebola treatment units of Sierra Leone, could be struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council if the charges are proved against her.

The NMC alleged that the Scottish nurse “allowed an incorrect temperature to be recorded” on 29 December 2014 and “intended to conceal from Public Health England staff that you had a temperature higher than 38C”.

A high temperature is one of the first symptoms of Ebola haemorrhagic fever. NHS workers who returned from volunteering were all supposed to fill in questionnaires about their exposure to the virus in their patients and have their temperatures taken by PHE staff at Heathrow airport.

It is the first time the NMC has outlined its complaint against Cafferkey. The NMC has been investigating her and others who returned at the same time for well over a year. During this time, Cafferkey had told friends, she had felt as if her career was on hold.

The hearing is expected to be held in Edinburgh next month.

Cafferkey nearly died twice – the first time after being diagnosed in Scotland. She was flown to London to be treated in a special tented Ebola isolation unit at the Royal Free hospital.

Last October she developed meningitis as a result of the Ebola virus and had to be transferred to the Royal Free once more. Her condition became critical but she pulled through.

Cafferkey returned from Sierra Leone in December 2014 with a large contingent of NHS volunteers who had completed their tour of duty, as well as other people who had been working in west Africa. PHE had nurses at the airport to take the temperatures of the travellers, but, the Guardian has been told, not enough were stationed there.

One of the volunteers who returned at the same time as Cafferkey said they were encouraged by PHE staff to take one another’s temperatures and complete the forms.

Cafferkey’s temperature was high, so PHE’s staff were alerted, said the volunteer, who wanted to remain anonymous. Her temperature was taken six more times, but eventually, the volunteer said, Cafferkey was told she could board her flight to Glasgow.

With a high temperature, the protocol meant the nurse should have been transferred to a designated hospital nearby, Northwick Park, and seen by an infectious diseases consultant.

“PHE was unprepared and did not follow correct procedure in managing the screening process,” the volunteer told the Guardian. “Had Pauline been sent to Northwick Park hospital straight from Heathrow, her diagnosis and medical management would have commenced much earlier … Instead, as policy was not followed, this was delayed and she was allowed by PHE staff to fly to Glasgow, travel onwards to her home and potentially put the general public at risk.”

Many of those who travelled to west Africa to help with the Ebola outbreak were astonished that Cafferkey was facing charges from her regulatory body.

The volunteer was “incredulous” that Cafferkey and others who risked so much to help people in Sierra Leone “still have this hanging over their head”, adding that Cafferkey did nothing that was not approved by PHE.



“I cannot get my head round why one group of medical professionals – PHE – demand such an investigation over another vulnerable group of medical professionals when they themselves had so many failings,” the volunteer said in a written statement given to the Guardian.

An NMC spokesperson said: “Since these proceedings began the NMC has worked closely with Ms Cafferkey and her representatives to reach an outcome that is fair and meets the public interest in this case.

“Since the NMC’s case examiners considered the allegations and drafted charges, we have received further evidence. The final charges the panel will consider will be determined in light of this new material. Ms Cafferkey and her representatives have cooperated fully throughout this process.”

David Cameron announced in February 2015 that the NHS staff who had volunteered to work with Ebola in west Africa would be awarded a special medal. “We owe them an immense debt of gratitude,” the then prime minister told parliament.

Cafferkey and others did not accept the medal because they felt it was inappropriate in the light of the investigation.