Sentinel Health Care has been ordered to pay £167,670 at West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court in Southampton after a 56-year-old man died from Legionnaires' disease while in its care.
The company, which runs the Fordingbridge care home, pleaded guilty to two charges, firstly failing to provide safe care and treatment, resulting in avoidable harm to Andrew Clegg.
The company has also pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment exposing other service users, to a significant risk of avoidable harm.
Sentinel Health Care was fined £75,000 for each charge and ordered to pay £17,500 prosecution costs, plus a £170 victim surcharge at West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court on 26 November in a prosecution brought by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
This is the first time CQC has used its prosecution powers against a provider in a case where a person has contracted Legionella.
“Mr Clegg had every right to expect safe care at the Fordingbridge care home and Sentinel Care Services Limited has a specific legal duty to follow the Health and Safety Act to ensure the home was safe for people,” CQC head of inspection for adult social care Rebecca Bauers,
“In this case their negligence allowed Legionella bacteria to develop and grow in the water supply putting people living there at risk. The Health and Safety Executive has very clear guidance on management of Legionella in care homes and this was clearly not followed,” she added.
“We hope this prosecution reminds care providers that they must always ensure people’s safety and manage risks to their wellbeing.”
