NHS staff undergoing Ebola training at a facility in York before heading to Africa

A Lichfield paramedic has joined the fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone.

NHS staff undergoing Ebola training at a facility in York before heading to Africa
NHS staff undergoing Ebola training at a facility in York before heading to Africa. Pic: DFID

Gerard Kelly is among a group of 30 NHS staff who have headed out to West Africa to work in treatment centres.

He has been joined by Midlands Air Ambulance paramedic Tom Waters for the trip.

Tom said: “I’ve done some volunteering in Cambodia in the past and I found it to be the most rewarding type of care. This opportunity has arisen where I really think I can make a difference.

“I’ve got enough support from my family and my girlfriend, even though I’ll miss her birthday, and they’ve encouraged me to do this. I’d really like to make a difference and help people.

“We will get a lot of support from the military and NHS but one of the challenges will be the sheer volume of patients that we’ll actively have to treat. This includes lots of children who are getting badly dehydrated and struggling with this.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Steve
9 years ago

Heroes.