RLH staff join UK-Med response to measles outbreak in Samoa
Royal London Emergency Department, Advanced Nurse practitioners, Becky Platt and Marc Robinson, have joined a specialist team of 13 UK-Med doctors and nurses, on the ground in Samoa, responding to a severe Measles outbreak. To date over 2,900 people in Samoa have contracted measles with over 50 deaths recorded.
Both Marc and Becky have been selected based on their expertise in paediatrics, infectious disease and critical care. The team arrived in country two weeks ago and will work alongside their Australian counterparts.
Samoa has declared a state of emergency, closed all schools and made immunisation compulsory in response to the outbreak.
Becky who has been working in Paediatric A&E at the Royal London since November 2018 said both teams are working in the Samoan hospital, which now includes a HDU tent which the Aussies brought with them.
“We are seeing multiple children with significant complications from measles, especially pneumonia and sepsis. These are life threatening," Becky said.
“The team have been involved in resuscitating many children and have made a real difference in terms of saving lives. Sadly, there have been over 50 deaths to date, mostly children."
Marc has been involved with the UK emergency medical team for the past 3 years and with the support of Barts Health has been actively involved in numerous humanitarian missions/projects and a number of trips requiring expedition healthcare.
On the ground in Samoa, Marc said they are seeing a high level of acutely unwell children with many requiring high level critical care.
"Mortality is proving significantly high and family centred care along with the need for robust palliative care has been often required."
He was first inspired to become involved after completing the Diploma in Tropical nursing.
“Personally I feel driven by the heath inequalities across the globe and find the work rewarding & humbling."
Great work Marc and Becky.