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HOME > Hospice sentenced after Legionella death
A Sydenham-based hospice has been sentenced following two cases of Legionnaires’ disease. One man died and another suffered life-changing effects after contracting the disease at the hospice in 2012.
Southwark Crown Court heard that a man was admitted to the hospice until being taken to a nearby hospital the following month where he died a week later. The cause of death was found to be Legionnaires’ disease, which he contracted during his time at the hospice.
Five months later, a hospice employee contracted Legionnaires’ disease at the hospice, causing her to spend 18 days in a coma before recovering.
Following the hearing HSE inspector Matt Raine said: “The risks of Legionella are well known in the healthcare industry. The hospice had implemented some measures in an attempt to control legionella, but failed to appoint a competent person to manage the risk of Legionella in its hot and cold water system.
“The failures in the management of Legionella led to conditions in hot and cold water system that favoured the proliferation of Legionellae. It was entirely foreseeable that there would be risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease for patients and employees working at this hospice.”
The hospice pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 3(1) and 2(1)of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was sentenced to a two year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay costs of £25,000.
With offices in Manchester and London, AEC is accredited by the Legionella Control Association (LCA), a member of the Water Management Society (WMS) and operates to the international quality management standard ISO 9001. As an independent water hygiene and Legionella consultancy, we provide impartial advice and support and offer a range of services to ensure that you are complying with guidelines and providing a safe working environment.
To book a Legionella risk assessment in your workplace or non-residential buildings, or to find out more, please call 0161 872 7111 or email customersupport@aec.uk.net
From the HSE website: http://press.hse.gov.uk/2016/hospice-sentenced-after-legionella-death/
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