Man dies after Legionella found in Reading Council Care Home

Britain sees another legionella outbreak, and in a high risk building no-less. The article reads:

"A 95-year-old man who was recovering from a stroke in a council care home had died from Legionnaires' Disease. 

The man was staying in The Willows Care Home in Hexham Road, Whitley when he contracted pneumonia which was found to be caused by the Legionella bacterium.
He was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital where he died on October 30. 

Reading Borough Council which runs the home has acknowledged "the possibility exists that the resident may have contracted Legionella bacteria at the care home, although that has not been established beyond doubt". 

After exhaustive checks to the water system, traces of the bacterium were found in a tap.Residents, their families and staff were informed. 

Spokesman for the council Derek Plews said: "The health and well-being of vulnerable residents is the council’s highest priority which is why, as a precautionary measure, we have engaged an independent expert consultant, carried out extensive testing and cleaning of the water system at The Willows and fitted special bacteria filters to all water outlets in the building. 

"We believe, on the basis of expert independent advice, that our maintenance programme at the home is fully in line with the Health and Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice and that the risk to residents from Legionella is as low as possible. 

"We are continuing to monitor the water system to ensure that this remains the case.
"We understand that residents, their families and staff will be concerned about this matter. 

That is why we have taken steps to keep them updated about the situation. Residents have been given the choice of a move to temporary accommodation and one person has taken up this option. 

"The council would like to emphasise that it has worked closely with the Health Protection Agency and the Heath and Safety Executive in responding to this matter. 

"We have adhered to the Health and Safety Executive’s approved code of practice on Legionella before this incident and the measures taken since are over and above the HSE guidance. 

"Reading Borough Council would like to express its sincere condolences to the family of the resident who passed away." 

The Willows, formerly Tanfield, was completely refurbished in September last year including the renewal of much of the water system. 

It has 26 beds including 15 for residents with dementia, 10 for intermediate care and one for respite care."

Go to source of article

Hinchingbrooke Invests £120k to reduce Legionella risk

It was reported that:

When Circle took over management of the hospital in February on a 10-year management franchise, the company’s head of facilities and estates, Mark Cammies, set up a new regime of inspection and testing for the legionella bacterium, which is often found in stored water and can cause pneumonia-like infection when ingested as droplets.

Circle stressed yesterday (Tuesday) that no one had been infected and that the £120,000 was precautionary investment to ensure that clean bill of health continued.

“The previous regime was not thorough enough, so we have put in a programme of much more rigorous testing,” a spokesman said. “As a result, we found a few isolated areas where there are higher than normal levels of the bacteria. The presence of the bacteria is not unusual in NHS hospitals,” she added.

Circle’s investment has already extended to installing filters in shower-heads in wards – a practice that is commonplace in hotels – and the programme includes spending £30,000 on a new chlorination system, £70,000 on the hospital pipework to eliminate areas where water can stand, and putting in a new flushing system in wards where showers are used infrequently.

Legionnaires’ disease is so-called because the bacterium was isolated as the cause of an outbreak of a ‘mystery illness’ at a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia in 1976. it is believed to have been transmitted through a hotel air-conditioning system.

Legionellosis Training in London - Sign Up

Legionella Awarness Training
	Water Hygiene Course in London City Spectrum News Bulletin 17/07/2012

Spectrum ES Limited will be holding various Legionella Awareness Courses across London in September 2012! The first program is being arranged and spaces are being booked! - Call Spectrum to secure your no-obligation* space on the course!

We’re offering you the great rate of £70 per person, and your second delegate for only £55 for this event! We also give group bookings special rates, and we can even come to you!

Call: 0870 729 0199 to chat about your requirements!

*There are 'No-obligations' or holding fee's when expressing an interest in this course! All we ask for is your name, email and telephone number, so we can contact you about the course, and we'll give you some dates that may be good for you - We'll discuss the next steps over the phone!


Need a different Course? Get in touch about the following agendas...

- Introduction to Legionellosis, Legionnaires' Disease and Pontiac Fever- Managing the Control of Legionellosis – Your Responsibilities- Site Engineer Training – The Need For Regular Checks- Setting Up A Legionellosis Control Regime