Injured military personnel at one of the UK’s top rehabilitation centres have been unwittingly bathing in contaminated water for months and have had no central heating all winter, according to reports.
Documents allegedly show that Ministry of Defence officials knew tap water at Headley Court, near Epsom, Surrey, had been contaminated by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria since September.
However, according to the Sun, staff and patients were warned only last week about the contamination. The centre is believed to have been relying on portable fan heaters since the central heating failed in November.
An MoD spokesman said: “While the issue is affecting a small number of areas and the risk to patients is low, it needs to be resolved. The contractor is responsible for that and we are working with them so it happens as quickly as possible.”
Warnings on display at Headley Court say: “Please be advised that a low-level contamination of the water has been found at DMRC [defence medical rehabilitation centre].
“As a precaution, please: do not drink the water; do not brush your teeth with the water; do not allow water to get onto any open wounds or pin sites; if you have a wound or pin sites, please cover them … with waterproof dressings or a watertight bag when showing.”
Often found in soil and ground water, P. aeruginosa can cause a wide range of infections, particularly in those with a weakened immune system such as those who have suffered severe burns or have other underlying health problems.
“Its significance as a pathogen is exacerbated by its resistance to antibiotics, virulence factors and its ability to adapt to a wide range of environments,” according to guidance from Public Health England. Patients with open wounds are at a particular risk from the bug, the guidance adds.
The Sun said the contaminated water and broken central heating were among 400 outstanding maintenance jobs at the centre. Others included leaking roofs, broken lights and trip hazards.
The paper said the entire building would be shut down this weekend and nearly 120 patients moved to another part of the site while the MoD’s contractor, CarillionAmey, gets to grips with the problems.
The Guardian has contacted the company for comment but had received no reply by the time of publication.
