The term ‘care home’ may be used to describe a wide range of properties of varying size and complexity catering for people with a wide range of needs. Whilst care providers tend to specialise in a particular group or type of residents, the common factor is that these establishments provide residential accommodation in an environment that caters specifically for those who are less able to live independently and care for themselves. These include homes for the elderly, physically disabled, children with special needs and those with mental health needs. Nursing homes are a special type of care home with the ability to provide more advanced levels of medical care.

Case Study: An engineering risk assessment minimises the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination and saves lives. 

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infectious bacteria that can cause chronic disease in humans, plants and animals. In 2013 there was an outbreak in Belfast which lead to the deaths of three new-born babies, an unfortunate event which has given rise to major concerns in hospitals. After tests returned positive counts of the bacteria in the water at King's Mill hospital, it was time to take action. 

In this blog we are going to consider records for water safety. When we say ‘records’ we don’t mean the round vinyl LP type (Handel’s ‘Water Music’, anyone?). No. We are focusing on records that form documented evidence to demonstrate compliance.

Always nice to remove a panel to find a multitude of hidden issues. A legacy of questionable competence!

 In this blog we explore the various roles that exist within an organisations water safety team and who is the most appropriate person to fill each of these positions.

The Department of Health guidance HTM04-01 requires healthcare organisations to have an established Water Safety Group [WSG] and a defined Water Safety Plan [WSP].  The WSP details how the organisation shall manage and minimise the risks to health from various aspects, ranging from clinical risks, microbial and chemical contamination, changes to the water system, resilience of the water supply etc.  One of the microbial risks associated with water is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 

The two-year risk assessment review frequency, outlined by the HSE, was removed from guidance in 2013 which meant the process for reviewing legionella risk assessments needed to be re-established. 

 The objective of this article is to provide a more detailed overview of the importance of getting your legionella risk assessment right. There are a variety of types of risk assessment, it is important your risk assessment is carried out professionally and correctly in accordance with HSE guidance.

This group, the ‘water safety group’ [WSG], isn’t a new idea! The concept of the WSG was first outlined in the Department of Health’s HTM04-01 addendum and the subsequent revision of the HTM04-01 in 2016 provided updated guidance on the remit and aims of the group.

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their tenants by keeping property safe and free from health hazards.