Basildon Council accuses association of failing to protect elderly residents
Genesis in court over Legionnaires’ outbreak
Genesis Housing Group has been taken to court by Basildon Council over claims it failed to protect sheltered housing tenants from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.
Basildon Council has taken action under the Health and Safety Act. Genesis is accused of failing to assess or manage legionella bacteria risks at Grevatt Lodge care home, in Pitsea, between September 2004 and October 2007.
Representatives from Genesis appeared at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on 23 April, and are due to return to the court on 4 June. The group has yet to enter a plea.
Grevatt Lodge has 32 affordable flats for elderly people. It was built in 1978 and renovated in 2007.
Inside Housing understands that an investigation was launched following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the home in September 2007, in which one elderly resident was hospitalised and later discharged.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia. It often spreads through air conditioning systems, hot water systems and spa pools. Sufferers catch the illness by inhaling small infected droplets of water.
Landlords and employers are required by law to prevent Legionnaires’ outbreaks by properly maintaining and treating water systems in their properties.
A spokesperson for Genesis Housing Group said: ‘This matter is now the subject of litigation, and we are not able to discuss the details of the case. However, as a leading registered provider of social housing, Genesis Housing Group takes its health and safety responsibilities extremely seriously.
‘We continue to ensure that everything practicable is done to protect the health and safety of our residents.’
Basildon Council was unable to provide a comment.
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment
Readers' comments (2)
Melvin Bone | 06/05/2010 11:01 am
Just for a minute I thought Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins et al were going to court...
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
the purple avenger | 06/05/2010 2:43 pm
I am no expert in this but I was under the impression that annual chyecks had to be made for legionella. If this impression is accurateit would seem that Genesis did not do that between 2004 amd 2007. If that is true then they deserve to have the book thrown at them. I bet they are focussed on it now - and it serves as a great prompt for all of us to ensure our processes are good too.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment