Bupa Legionella Case: What Care Providers Can Learn

A major prosecution involving Bupa Care Homes demonstrates why Legionella control is particularly important in care environments.

Bupa Care Homes (BNH) Ltd was prosecuted following the death of an 86-year-old resident who contracted Legionnaires' disease.

The case concerned failures in the management and control of Legionella risk within the care home's hot and cold water system.

Bupa was initially fined £3 million, with the penalty subsequently reduced to £1.5 million on appeal.

The case remains an important example of the consequences of inadequate water safety controls in premises accommodating vulnerable people.

Why is Legionella particularly important in care homes?

Older people and individuals with certain underlying health conditions can be at increased risk from Legionnaires' disease.

Care providers therefore need robust systems for assessing and controlling Legionella risks.

This can include:

• Maintaining appropriate hot and cold water temperatures
• Managing outlets that receive little use
• Cleaning and maintaining relevant water system components
• Keeping appropriate water hygiene records
• Reviewing Legionella risk assessments
• Completing water sampling where required by the site's control programme

HSE guidance states that healthcare and care premises should assess their hot and cold water systems and ensure adequate measures are in place to control identified risks.

Legionella testing for care homes and supported living

Water sampling can provide valuable information about microbiological water quality when used as part of an appropriate water safety programme.

Aqua Samples provides Legionella water testing kits with UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis, allowing organisations to take samples themselves and return them for professional testing.

Looking for Legionella water testing for a care home or supported-living property? Explore Aqua Samples' testing options.