Reading Borough Council has been fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £20,000 after a pensioner died from pneumonia brought on by legionnaire’s disease picked up during his stay at one of their care homes.
The HSE investigation heard how Lewis Payne, a 95-year-old vulnerable gentleman had arrived at The Willows; a council operated care facility, in September 2012. He had previously spent time in hospital for treatment to a broken leg and was sent to the Willows to receive intermediate care before returning to his own home. During his stay he began to feel unwell, complaining of aches and pains including tightness in his chest, shortness of breath and nausea. He was admitted to hospital and a sample proved positive for the presence of Legionella. Sadly he dies a few days later from pneumonia, related to the legionella.
After the hearing, Kelly Nichols, the HSE inspector said: “Reading Borough Council could and should have controlled the risk of exposure to legionella to the elderly and infirm as well as those receiving immediate care prior to returning home. RBC’s failings were systemic and continued over a period of time. There was a history of legionella problems at the home. The control and management arrangements were not robust and the legionella training of key personnel fell significantly below the required standard. The risks from legionella in nursing and care homes and the required control measures to manage those risks have been known and publicised in HSE publications since May 2000. It is really disappointing to find a local authority not managing those risks. It is important for all care provider to ensure they are managing the risks from hot and cold water systems with respect to both legionella and scalding risks especially due to likely exposure of more vulnerable people.”
If you or someone you know has suffered unnecessarily at the hands of a care home or hospital, you could be entitled to claim for compensation. Care homes and hospitals are supposed to be safe places to go to in your hour of need, and people should be confident that they will come out less poorly than when being admitted. Our solicitors have years of experience in bringing justice for those who have suffered, and will swiftly be able to talk you through the claims process and see how we can help you. Contact us today to get the compensation you deserve.