Basildon: Hospital To Be Sentenced Over Disease

3 September 2013, 05:51 | Updated: 3 September 2013, 05:54

Basildon University Hospital will be sentenced for failing to protect the public from the potentially fatal effects of Legionnaire's disease.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Basildon University Hospital under the Health and Safety at Work Act after two patients contracted the disease and died in 2007 and 2010.

Eight patients and visitors were affected between 2004 and 2010, an earlier court hearing was told.

The hospital pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act over failing to protect visitors and patients adequately from legionella.

A sentencing hearing will begin at Chelmsford Crown Court today (Tuesday 3 September), although the judge's final decision may be deferred until tomorrow.

The hospital has said no cases of Legionnaire's disease - a serious lung infection caused by legionella bacteria - had occurred since 2011.