Expert Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Representing Claimants Affected by UK Outbreak In Summer Of 2014

A report from Professor Eric Bolton into an outbreak of Salmonella at the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital has confirmed that the outbreak directly led to the death of one patient at the hospital.  

The report from Professor Bolton found inadequately equipped wards, unmonitored food preparation, and poor cleaning helped the bacteria spread.

The outbreak at the hospital in the summer of 2014 saw 32 staff and patients infected. The source of the infection has since been traced to contaminated eggs produced at the Bayern Ei farm in Bavaria, Germany.

Footage has emerged of poor conditions at the German egg producer’s farm and public prosecutors in Germany have launched an investigation.

A number of recommendations have been made in Professor Bolton’s report aimed at preventing the spread of infectious illnesses in the future, and include a review of the Trust’s infection control and cleaning services, the implementation of a plan to deal with major outbreaks and additional food hygiene training for staff handling food.

Further investigations are being conducted across the UK at various sites where clusters of Salmonella were recorded by Environmental Health officials in 2014.  

Specialist public health lawyers at Irwin Mitchell currently represent more than 30 people affected by the Salmonella outbreak in July 2014 after eating at The Real China restaurant in Eastleigh, near Southampton which has also been linked to the eggs supplied by the Bavarian farm.

Amandeep Dhillon, a public health lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who represents those affected by the outbreak at The Real China, and who has worked closely with German groups who have been investigating the issue said: 

Expert Opinion

The images and footage of conditions at the hen farm linked to the outbreak are shocking and it is vital that a thorough investigation is conducted. <br/> <br/>“The outbreak in the UK in July 2014 led to a fatality at Birmingham’s Heartlands Hospital and we welcome the recommendations that aim to reduce the likelihood of similar outbreaks spreading through the facility in the future. <br/> <br/>“The 2014 outbreak affected a large number of people across the UK and Europe and the tragic death in Birmingham illustrates just how serious gastric illnesses, such as Salmonella, can be and the fact that hygiene and safety practices should not be ignored. <br/> <br/>“We welcome the investigation being undertaken in both the UK and also in Germany and we are helping authorities to ensure those who fell ill as a result of the outbreak, including those we represent, will get the answers they need about the source of Salmonella. Amandeep Dhillon - Partner