Lawyers Investigating Problems After British Holidaymaker's Stay At The Makadi Palace

A Lancashire woman who had two spells in hospital as she battled the effects of gastroenteritis which she developed during a stay at an Egyptian holiday resort in July last year has instructed lawyers in an attempt to gain answers regarding the illness.

Helen Neill, 35, from Buckshaw Village near Chorley, developed symptoms including diarrhoea and abdominal pains a few days into her all-inclusive holiday at the Makadi Palace in Hurghada, with the problems proving so severe that she was put on a drip in an Egyptian hospital and given antibiotics. Her partner, Neil Kirkham also experienced symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting during the holiday.

Upon her return to the UK, she saw her GP who carried out tests and confirmed she had developed gastroenteritis. However, despite being given further medication, the symptoms continued and once again and she needed further in-patient hospital treatment for four days in August.

Now, as she continues to battle with the illness, Helen has instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Personal Injury team to investigate the problems she faced during the break booked through Red Sea Holidays and help her gain answers regarding how the issue developed. Irwin Mitchell have also been instructed to represent another holidaymakers who travelled to the hotel over the summer of 2017, one who has been diagnosed with E Coli 0157 on return from holiday.

Clare Pearson, the specialist travel lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Helen, said: 

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“We are very concerned by the first-hand accounts we have heard regarding our client’s experience at the Makadi Palace and following our instruction we have started to make enquiries into the issues that they have faced.

“A case of this nature demonstrates the serious impact that gastric illness can have on victims, with Helen requiring treatment in hospital on two separate occasions and also being forced to take time off work as she attempted to recover.

“Serious issues have been raised and we are determined to help Helen and other holidaymakers gain the answers she deserves regarding what they have faced.” Clare Pearson - Legal Executive & Associate

Helen’s holiday at the Makadi Palace with her partner Neil Kirkham, 48, began on July 17th last year, but just a few days into the holiday they both started to develop symptoms.

Helen said: ”There was lots of choice of food on offer but sometimes the food was not very hot and I saw birds in one of the main restaurants. There were also times when the chefs were handling the raw and the cooked food with the same utensils.

“I was in a really bad way when the illness first started and Neil had to get in touch with the on-site doctor for advice. I was then sent to the local hospital for further treatment and was put on a saline drip with antibiotics. 

“When I left I was also given further medication to take through the rest of the holiday and the on-site doctor monitored my condition.. It was a very worrying time and it spoilt the rest of the holiday for us. We were frustrated and upset.”

Once she was home at the start of August, Helen visited her GP and tests confirmed her diagnosis of gastroenteritis. However, she was stunned when she then needed further treatment.

She remembered: “My illness carried on and I was exhausted and in a terrible state, so on my doctor’s advice I visited the A&E department at a local hospital and I was later admitted for four days whilst they carried out tests. Throughout this time I had to have time off from work which was very difficult for me.”

“This whole illness has had a massive impact on my life and I cannot believe this has happened after what was meant to be a relaxing summer break. The whole experience has been incredibly stressful and I just feel I deserve answers regarding what I’ve faced.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in holiday illness claim here.