The stiff fine handed out to BUPA Care Homes this week should be a stark reminder to all healthcare organisations of the importance of ensuring adequate water controls and measuring procedures are in place across the healthcare premises at all times.
BUPA was fined £3m and ordered to pay costs of £151,482 as a result of an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive following the death, in 2015, of an elderly resident who contracted Legionnaires’ disease.
The investigation found that for more than a year, whilst major refurbishment works were carried out, BUPA Care Homes failed to implement the necessary control and monitoring measures required to safely manage their hot and cold water system.
The investigation also found that those responsible for overseeing legionella controls and taking crucial water temperature measurements had not been trained to the required standard.
Diary date
In association with the IHEEM Water Technical Platform, HEFMA is running a two Water Seminars (July 2 in London & July 12 in Birmingham), looking at HTM 04-01. HEFMA members qualify for a discounted rate. Click here for more information and to book a place.
Click here to read the feature from the May/June issue of HEFMA Pulse written by Mervyn Phipps on the subject of water safety in healthcare.
