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British Ebola Nurse Placed Under Investigation

British Ebola Nurse Placed Under Investigation

Pauline Cafferkey, the British nurse who became the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the UK, is facing potential disciplinary action from the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The 39-year-old, along with two colleagues, is being investigated over the screening process she participated in at Heathrow Airport after flying from Sierra Leone.

Ms Cafferkey has not been suspended from her duties, but she faces an interim hearing where restrictions could be placed on her ability to practise.

A spokesperson for Public Health England said: "During our recent assessment of the screening of some returning healthcare workers at Heathrow on 28 December, information emerged which needed to be passed to the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

"Since the introduction of screening in October, PHE has assessed over 4,000 individuals and this experience has been used by PHE to continuously strengthen the system."

The body has stressed that the risk posed by Ebola to the general public remains low, but refused to comment further on the investigation faced by Ms Cafferkey, which could last up to 18 months.

Her temperature was tested seven times before she began her onward journey from Heathrow to Glasgow - and although she was cleared to fly, the nurse fell ill a couple of days later.

Ms Cafferkey was transferred to an isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in north London, and although critically ill for a time, she soon made a full recovery.

A spokeswoman for the Nursing and Midwifery Council told Sky News: "Following information we received from Public Health England, we can confirm that we are investigating allegations about the conduct of three nurses.

"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time."