UK Company Fined £900,000 for Legionella Risk to Vulnerable Care Home Residents
A UK company has been fined £900,000 after an outbreak of Legionella bacteria at its care home facility in Birkenhead, Merseyside, exposing vulnerable residents to the risk of Legionnaires’ disease.
The dangerous bacteria was detected in the water systems at Vincent Naughton Court during routine water sampling of the communal areas and individual flats in July and August 2018.
With all 44 samples testing positive for Legionella, residents were evacuated from Sanctuary Housing’s premises in August 2018. They were able to return in October and November of that year, once the water system had been disinfected and a chemical treatment unit installed.
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined that Sanctuary Housing had poorly managed the Legionella risk in Vincent Naughton Court’s water system, citing insufficient staff training and supervision. Many residents were particularly vulnerable due to their age and pre-existing health conditions, increasing their susceptibility to Legionnaires’ disease.
The investigation found that Legionella had been detected during water tests on July 16 and 31, prompting Sanctuary Housing to notify residents of scheduled maintenance on the water system on August 6. However, a letter sent on August 3 contained misleading guidance, suggesting that tap water could be stored in sinks and boiled in kettles, while failing to advise residents to avoid using their showers—a significant oversight that left residents at significant risk of exposure to Legionnaires’ disease.
Additional testing on August 8 and 15 confirmed the continued presence of Legionella as work on the water system progressed. On August 24, Sanctuary Housing evacuated the residents.
The Health and Safety Executive cited insufficient staff training and supervision.
Sanctuary Housing Association later admitted to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition to the £900,000 fine, they were ordered to pay £11,480.60 in costs, as ruled by Liverpool Crown Court in October 22, 2024.
HSE Inspector Rose Leese-Weller commented, “Sanctuary Housing failed to protect vulnerable residents at Vincent Naughton Court through its mismanagement of the water system. It’s fortunate no one became ill, as residents were allowed to use heavily contaminated water for a considerable time without adequate warnings. This incident reflects not only Sanctuary Housing’s failure to control contamination risks but also a lack of sufficient instruction and training for their staff.”
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