Mansfield: Inspectors find legionella bacteria at care home

The unannounced visit took place in November

A Nottinghamshire care home that failed to inform inspectors that legionella bacteria was found in its water system has been rated "inadequate" by the healthcare watchdog.

Beechdene Care Home in Woodhouse Road, Mansfield, was looking after 14 people with learning disabilities at the time of the inspection in November.

Inspectors said the home was already due to close within a few months.

The legionella was treated and no-one fell ill.

However the home was given an overall rating of "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and placed in special measures.

Inspectors held the unannounced visit after concerns were received about safety and staffing from members of the public and other organisations.

A risk assessment found the home was at high risk of developing legionella bacteria in the water system. Legionella bacteria can be inhaled in droplets of water and result in serious ill health from Legionnaires' disease.

Unsafe radiators

The risk assessment required refurbishments to be put in place within one month, but these had not been completed.

The home said it would inform the CQC within two hours if legionella developed.

But the report said: "When we returned to the service a few days later, we found legionella had developed in the water system.

"This bacterial outbreak had been effectively treated. However, the provider had not followed the action plan as we had not been informed of the positive legionella test."

Inspectors also said the environment was "not safe" with residents at risk of scalding in the showers, burning from uncovered radiators and illness from food being stored in fridges that were too warm.

They added residents were at risk of falling from open windows, medicine was not stored properly and parts of the home were not clean.

The home did not respond to a request for comment from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.