Salutem has been fined £100,000 after a 53-year-old resident suffered second degree burns after being immersed in scalding bath water.

The care provider was order to pay £117,681, including costs at Oxford Magistrates’ Court after the incident, which occurred at Birchwood Care Home in Chesham, Buckinghamshire in February 2020.

Salutem has been fined £100,000 after a 53-year-old resident suffered second degree burns after being immersed in scalding bath water.

Amy Jupp, CQC deputy director for the south, said: “The resident had the right to expect to be kept safe from harm while living at Birchwood Care Home. But in this, case the provider failed in its legal duty to protect her from being exposed to significant harm.  

“The majority of care providers do an excellent job. However, when a provider puts people in its care at risk, we will take action to hold them to account and to protect people.

“I hope the outcome of this prosecution reminds care providers of their duty to assess and manage all risks and follow the policies and guidance in place to keep people safe.”

The court heard the 53-year-old resident was supported by two care workers who did not check the water temperature before placing her in the bath with a hoist.

Support plans, policies and risk assessments did not provide good enough guidance to staff as to what was considered to be a safe water temperature as per the Health and Safety Executive Guidelines. 

The resident expressed discomfort and was removed before being rei-immersed after adding cold water.

When drying the resident the staff noticed her feet were red. She told them she was feeling pain and they noticed her skins was starting to blister and peel.

The staff called NHS111 for an ambulance and cooled the resident’s wounds.

She was admitted to hospital overnight and given pain relief having sustained second-degree immersion scalds from the bottom of her feet to the top of her ankles.

In sentencing, the judge noted the “high level of co-operation” and “significant steps taken” by the care home following the incident, including the installation of a care planning and compliance system and making thermometers available.

“The company has gone well beyond simply ticking the box and going to the heart of the issue,” the judge commented.

A Salutem spokesperson said: “We strive to ensure the safety and support of every single individual we support to have their best lives, in this instance we are extremely sorry that this happened. Lessons have been learnt and policies reviewed to ensure that nothing like this happens again. We pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and note the sanction that has been imposed.”