Two clinicians who successfully treated three Ebola patients at the Royal Free Hospital have said they feel "honoured" after joining a homecoming parade for NHS, armed forces and government staff who took part in the global fight against the disease.

Prime Minister David Cameron was joined by dozens of MPs, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, in applauding Dr Stephen Mepham, consultant in infectious diseases and Ollie Carpenter, clinical practice educator, as they marched alongside fellow health workers and other personnel into the Houses of Parliament.

Mr Cameron said: "I just want to say a huge thank you for what you have done. Some of you were sent to Sierra Leone to face a silent killer. Then it was in crisis, today it is close to being Ebola free."

Also there to honour personnel were Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health and Justine Greening, International Development Secretary.

Paying tribute to the work of NHS staff both in Africa and in the UK, Mr Hunt said: "The way the NHS responded, to me, was the very best of what the NHS stands for across the world. We had thousands of doctors and nurses all volunteering to put themselves in harm’s way because they could see what an awful catastrophe was unfolding before humanity.

"I have never felt more proud to be British as when I saw this collective national effort to fight this horrible disease."

Speaking after the event, Mr Carpenter said: "I enjoyed it very much. It was quite an honour to come here and have all these MPs applauding you.

"Treating Ebola patients was such an amazing thing to do and to get this kind of recognition is fantastic."

Dr Mepham added: "I couldn't quite imagine coming in to the NHS that I would have a day like this with MPs, ministers and the Prime Minister.

“It's a fantastic recognition of the work of the MoD and NHS workers in West Africa." 

Picture 1: Dr Stephen Mepham (left) and Ollie Carpenter at Horse Guards Parade before the march.

Picture 2: The parade finished outside the Palace of Westminster.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Media contacts: daniel.obrien1@nhs.net or call 020 7371 7740

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London.