The outbreak of Ebola in West Africa has caused major concern for healthcare authorities across the world, fearful that it might spread to their countries. The UK has so far been spared but NHS trusts across the country have been training staff should cases appear.

Bolton’s Royal Bolton Hospital is the latest hospital to put into place plans to deal with an Ebola victim (or victims) should one be admitted. Dr Jackie Bene, the hospital’s chief executive, said they had the necessary equipment and procedures in place to deal with any eventuality: “We are fairly well prepared, and training is underway should a patient with Ebola be admitted to the Trust.”

Public Health England says there is less risk of infectious diseases like Ebola causing significant harm in countries such as the UK: “While the UK might see cases of imported Ebola, there is minimal risk of it spreading to the general population.[…]England has a world class health care system with robust infection control system and processes and disease control systems which have a proven record of dealing with imported infectious diseases.”