An NHS midwife from Bury is fighting for her life on a ventilator in Barbados after falling ill during a holiday to celebrate her 60th birthday. Alison Phillips, from Whitefield, travelled to the Caribbean island with friends on November 2 but began feeling unwell shortly after arriving.
Initially diagnosed with a chest infection and given antibiotics, her condition deteriorated rapidly. By November 6, she was rushed to hospital with septic shock and advanced pneumonia, requiring ventilation and an induced coma. Her friends have since returned home, but her son has flown out to be with her.
Her daughter, Abi, who is pregnant, said the family is raising funds to cover medical costs not fully covered by insurance. The cost of an air ambulance to bring her back to the UK is estimated at over £100,000, and daily care expenses are mounting. Abi described her mother as a 'devoted' midwife of over 30 years.
Despite the severity, there have been recent signs of improvement, with plans to reduce sedation and oxygen. The family remains hopeful, with Abi stating: 'She's fighting back and she will pull through.' A GoFundMe page has been set up to help bring Alison home.
