Dream Holiday Turns to Medical Crisis
A devoted NHS midwife is in a critical condition, reliant on a ventilator in a Barbados hospital, after her celebratory holiday took a devastating turn. Alison Phillips, 60, from Whitefield, Bury, had travelled over 4,000 miles to the Caribbean island with friends on November 2 to mark her milestone birthday.
Rapid Deterioration and Septic Shock
What began as a 'trip of a lifetime' quickly unravelled when Alison started to feel unwell shortly after arriving. She initially consulted a doctor for symptoms of a chest infection and was sent back to her hotel with antibiotics. However, her condition deteriorated alarmingly fast. By November 6, she was rushed to hospital, where she was diagnosed with septic shock and an advanced pneumonia infection.
Septic shock is a life-threatening condition causing dangerously low blood pressure following an infection, while advanced pneumonia severely compromises the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, putting vital organs at risk. Alison was immediately placed on a ventilator and induced into a coma, where she remains weeks later.
Family's Frantic Fundraising Effort
With her friends having returned to the UK, Alison's family is now facing a dual crisis: her fragile health and the staggering cost of her medical care. Her daughter, Abi, who is pregnant, explained that their travel insurance is not covering the full extent of the expenses.
The costs are two-fold and mounting daily. Ongoing hospital treatment in Barbados is incurring regular additional charges, and the estimated cost for an air ambulance to fly her back to the UK is alone in excess of £100,000. Abi's brother has flown out to be with their mother, adding accommodation and living costs to the family's financial burden.
The family has launched a GoFundMe page to bridge the financial gap. "She's just a normal person. We don't have tens of thousands lying around at our fingertips," Abi stated, emphasising the overwhelming nature of the situation.
Despite the ordeal, the family is clinging to hope. There are plans to reduce Alison's oxygen and sedation following recent signs of improvement. "We are trying so hard to hold on to the fact that she's fighting back and that she will pull through and recover," Abi said, acknowledging the incredible support they have received. Alison has served as an NHS midwife for over 30 years, and her family is now appealing for the same compassion she has shown countless others.
