Family HandoutAn NHS midwife is on life-support in Barbados after falling ill just one day into her dream holiday.
Alison Phillips, 60 from Manchester, had to be taken to hospital on the third day of her trip and was diagnosed with advanced pneumonia and sepsis and has since spent more than two weeks in an induced coma.
Ms Phillips was due to have a tracheotomy to help her breathe without ventilation- but her family said she still would not be able to fly home, unless by air ambulance – the cost of which may not be covered by insurance.
Daughter, Abigail Phillips is 25 weeks pregnant and unable to fly – “I just want to hug my mum,” she said. “Her granddaughter is so upset, she just wants her nanny back.”
Family handoutMs Phillips, from Whitfield, has been a midwife for 30 years at North Manchester hospital.
She flew to the island with five friends on 2 November, to celebrate her 60th birthday.
After developing symptoms of a chest infection on the first day, she was given antibiotics at a medical centre.
After two days, her condition had worsened and her friends rushed her to A&E at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital in Bridgetown – where she was later admitted into intensive care.
Abigail, 36, said: “When she was transferred to ICU, and I was told the severity of the situation, I just completely broke down.
“I was so scared and I really felt guilty.
“I’m not allowed to fly and I felt like I had a real dilemma of protecting my baby over being with my mum – which is a horrible, horrible battle to have in your own head.”
Abigail’s older brother Antony, 39 has been at his mum’s side in Barbados for the last two weeks.
“Thank goodness my brother has been able to be there,” she said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without him.”
“I trust him with my life – and I trust him with mum’s,” she said. “All I can do is just be grateful that I’ve got him.”
After two weeks in an induced coma, Alison opened her eyes for the first time two days ago – and has since nodded, Abigail told Manchester.
Despite this progress, Abigail said her mum was still “temporarily paralysed and on heavy sedative medication… she’s not very compos-mentis,” Abigail said.
Ms Phillips cannot fly currently, as she is on full ventilation – but after her tracheotomy, she could be able to fly home by air ambulance, her family have been told.
“She will need a three-stop air ambulance,” Abigail said. “We don’t know the full costs yet, but I’m working on estimates and it could be about £140,000 for the air ambulance alone.”
The Phillips family has said they do not yet know whether the full cost of this flight would be covered by her travel insurance.
“This is one of those things that has just happened to an everyday person.
“All she’s done is got ill in the wrong place.”
Abigail added: “My mum has dedicated more than 30 years to caring for mothers, babies, and families with compassion and strength.
“And now, she urgently needs that same love and support in return.”