Adam Griffiths claims he was given the advice by NHS call centre staff, but upon arriving at hospital was placed in quarantine
A terrified man who thought he had contracted Ebola when he fell ill in his return from Africa claims an NHS call centre told him to drive himself to hospital.
But when Adam Griffiths did arrive at A&E he was immediately placed in a decontamination room “used for terrorist attacks” – and met by doctors in full protective body suits.
The 24-year-old said the medics were shocked by the advice he had been give,Wales Online reports .
Adam from Swansea was taken to an accident and emergency unit in Bristol where his girlfriend lives after he began feeling ill on his return from travelling in Africa and Egypt.
Fearing he was suffering the symptoms of Ebola, he was taken to South Mead A&E in Bristol and later transferred to a specialist infectious disease control suite.
Adam, a model who wants to become an actor, said: “Just a few days ago I became really ill, having chest pains, being hot and sweaty with blood blisters on my hands and abdominal pains.
Once in hospital Adam was quarantined and tested for the deadly virus
“I was staying at my girlfriend’s house in Bristol and on Friday night my conditions started to get worse, I rang NHS England 111. I told them what was wrong and my symptoms and also that I had recently come back from Africa.
“I was told they would send an ambulance or I could travel myself to either of the hospitals in Bristol.
“I found it odd that they would allow me to travel by myself to hospital by car. On arrival at Bristol South Mead Accident & Emergency unit, the staff were amazed NHS 111 had allowed me to travel by car knowing it was a possibility I had Ebola.
“NHS staff immediately panicked and told me to stay where I was, I was in a lot of pain and could hardly stand. Quite quickly medical staff came to my aid dressed in full personal protective equipment including suits, masks and gloves. I was taken to a decontamination room which is used for terrorist attacks and put under quarantine.
“Cordons were place around the area of the hospital I was in, no-one was allowed out or in. Multiple blood tests were taken and other tests were carried out. At 5am I was transferred to an infectious disease control suite in the hospital and was treated accordingly.
“Many hours later after blood tests were taken and specialists in London had been spoken to it was confirmed I did not have hemorrhagic fever also known as Ebola. However I may still have Malaria. I later discharged myself from hospital.”
A spokesman for North Bristol NHS Trust confirmed the incident happened but refuted Mr Griffiths’ claim that “staff panicked”.
He said: “We acted appropriately and are glad Mr Griffiths had a good outcome.”
Dr Chris Burton, medical director of North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “We can confirm that a patient was admitted to our Emergency Department with possible viral haemorrhagic fever.
"He was fully and appropriately tested, following nationally agreed guidelines, and was found not to have the Ebola virus.
"On arrival he was quickly and efficiently assessed by staff who followed the correct procedures and protocols to ensure there was no risk to any other patient or member of staff.
source: mirror.uk
“I was staying at my girlfriend’s house in Bristol and on Friday night my conditions started to get worse, I rang NHS England 111. I told them what was wrong and my symptoms and also that I had recently come back from Africa.
“I was told they would send an ambulance or I could travel myself to either of the hospitals in Bristol.
“I found it odd that they would allow me to travel by myself to hospital by car. On arrival at Bristol South Mead Accident & Emergency unit, the staff were amazed NHS 111 had allowed me to travel by car knowing it was a possibility I had Ebola.
“NHS staff immediately panicked and told me to stay where I was, I was in a lot of pain and could hardly stand. Quite quickly medical staff came to my aid dressed in full personal protective equipment including suits, masks and gloves. I was taken to a decontamination room which is used for terrorist attacks and put under quarantine.
“Cordons were place around the area of the hospital I was in, no-one was allowed out or in. Multiple blood tests were taken and other tests were carried out. At 5am I was transferred to an infectious disease control suite in the hospital and was treated accordingly.
“Many hours later after blood tests were taken and specialists in London had been spoken to it was confirmed I did not have hemorrhagic fever also known as Ebola. However I may still have Malaria. I later discharged myself from hospital.”
A spokesman for North Bristol NHS Trust confirmed the incident happened but refuted Mr Griffiths’ claim that “staff panicked”.
He said: “We acted appropriately and are glad Mr Griffiths had a good outcome.”
Dr Chris Burton, medical director of North Bristol NHS Trust, said: “We can confirm that a patient was admitted to our Emergency Department with possible viral haemorrhagic fever.
"He was fully and appropriately tested, following nationally agreed guidelines, and was found not to have the Ebola virus.
"On arrival he was quickly and efficiently assessed by staff who followed the correct procedures and protocols to ensure there was no risk to any other patient or member of staff.
source: mirror.uk
