WATER HYGIENE & SAFETY
The Reval Cocoon therapy bath.
and drink are being prepared. This level of contamination risk also
threatens and potentially extends to adjacent buildings connected to the same mains water supply, potentially causing downstream contamination and health and safety hazards to others. In the event that an operator is found to be the source of the contamination, costs and fines can be imposed based on the level of contamination clean-up, and the impact to health and safety caused etc. The typical cost of a contaminated zone clean-up is likely to be considerable, and on top of this, of course, is the reputational damage. Non-compliance might also have potential insurance implications with respect to owners and operators found to be responsible for contamination caused by a non-compliant appliance.
Request evidence To ensure peace of mind and compliance, healthcare providers should request evidence that bathing appliances are compliant, and tested against all appropriate standards, as previously highlighted. One possible and effective solution could be for the Care Quality Commission to incorporate compliance via category 5/BS6920 certification into its inspection process. There are three key things to bear in mind that you need to do as a provider of healthcare services with responsibility for the facility’s water system: n Understand the regulations and guidance.
n Comply with the regulations. n Uphold your duty of care to staff, patients/residents, by being aware of the compliance.
Due to the inherent vulnerabilities in and hospital and care home settings, the likelihood of contamination and infection outbreaks is increased. Those who are cared for should expect to be safe from exposure to infections. So, how can that be achieved in an environment where multiples of individuals may use the same bathing facilities?
64 Health Estate Journal June 2024
Reval’s Caprice variable height bath is designed to make light and easy work of patient transfers.
Those operating in healthcare premises
have a duty to comply with the Water Regulations and ensure that medical appliances are procured to assure the higher level of Fluid Category 5 backflow protection. Fluid Category 5 represents a serious health hazard because of the concentration of pathogenic organisms, or very toxic substances, including any fluid which contains faecal material or other human waste etc. As such, Category 5 defines a serious health risk, and appliances must be: n Designed and manufactured to be of an appropriate quality and standard.
n Suitable for the circumstances where they are used.
n Installed so they comply with the regulations.
Amazingly, there are numerous non- approved or compliant appliances marketed, sold, and installed in the UK healthcare sector. The very fact this is happening raises a lot of interesting questions, especially for those responsible for policing the standard. Technical compliance at this level is a
‘dark art’, but free and impartial help and advice is on hand simply by going to
Jason Ashman
Reval Continuing Care’s managing director, Jason Ashman’s career in the assistive equipment sector began in 1981 with Zimmer Orthopaedic, which subsequently evolved through several mergers and acquisitions, becoming Everest & Jennings, Carters J&A, and finally Invacare UK. Over 22 years at Invacare, Jason held nine different positions, initially spending a decade as a technician in power product R&D and overseeing power product production. He then advanced to several leadership roles, including key account management, and serving as the National Sales manager for the UK and Ireland. In 2004, he moved to Group-Reval, taking on the role of MD with a mission to globalise the business. He successfully established a foothold in the UK market, set up a subsidiary, and leveraged the strength of the company’s products to tap into emerging markets worldwide. Under his leadership, Reval now exports to 40 countries across all continents. Reval has been manufacturing bespoke hydrotherapy pools, transfer equipment, ‘innovative’ medical baths, shower and toileting appliances, and posture management equipment, for 48 years.
the Water Regs UK: www.waterregsuk.
co.uk and WRAS Approvals: https://www.
wrasapprovals.co.uk websites, where you can read and learn more about the materials, standards, and certification process and requirements. It is time to be better educated on this standard, because it will help everyone keep patients and residents safe and companies compliant. Understanding the regulations is a starting point, but it’s the follow through with tangible actions that truly makes the difference. Consider the ramifications of using
non-compliant appliances in a care home or healthcare setting bathroom; not only does it pose a safety risk, but it could also lead to an offence or a cost consequence when you are instructed to remove the appliance. Given all that, it might be worth checking your appliances, just to be on safe side.
References 1 Water Industry, England and Wales. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. 1 July 1999. https://
tinyurl.com/32vjmtcr
2 WaterRegsUK. Assisted bathing equipment. April 2023 v1.3 https://tinyurl. com/5dynkchm
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