Another vulnerable person has died as a result of bathtime scalding.
The 88 year old dementia patient and former nurse Beatrice Morgan was lowered into a scalding bath by her carers at a care home in Deeside in August 2012, and the case against the care home has just been heard in court.
"We are really saddened to hear of this tragedy - but regrettably, it was no accident," said Cynthia Fisher, commercial director at Inta.
"Equipment should be fitted to the bath to prevent the water being too hot. Apparently it wasn’t. We’re sure that the carers didn’t set out that morning to scald their patient, but legislation was ignored, one simple bit of kit wasn’t installed and as a result Beatrice has died.
"We make anti-scald valves. They’re simple, effective and not at all expensive. If you have a care home, the law states you must have one fitted to every bath."
Flintshire Magistrates' Court heard her injuries were a contributing factor in her death.
District Judge Gwyn Jones said standards at the home had fallen very far below the basic standards expected and staff levels did not comply with safety standards.
There was no bathing policy and improvements had not been carried out because "the company, to put it mildly, did not want to spend", he said.
District Judge Jones said the firm "either did not care for the safety of its residents or it could not be bothered to bring the standards of the home to a minimum standard which would have prevented the potential risks."
"The District Judge is right to criticise those responsible at the care home for not doing what they should, but care homes get inspected by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate in Wales," added Cynthia Fisher.
"What went wrong with their inspection? Did the inspector not notice that water in the bath could reach 50.7C (120F)? Or was it a problem with enforcement?
"Without being able to read the reports we can only speculate, but if a kitchen was dirty and capable of killing diners, it would be given a very short opportunity to clean up or be closed down. Why isn’t that happening with killer bathrooms?
"So please, inspectors, don’t wait until someone dies before enforcing regulations. Imposing a £5000 fine on the care home operator, who has now gone out of business is no way to care for Britain’s vulnerable elderly."
