Expert Public Health Lawyers Back Calls For Illness Procedure Improvements

A report published by Public Health England (PHE) has recommended Crewe Hall Hotel in Cheshire make improvements to the way it deals will illness outbreaks after 95 people were affected by a gastrointestinal illness following a party at the venue.

Victims suffered days of sickness, diarrhoea and stomach pains after the New Year’s Eve event at the hotel.

A PHE investigation into the outbreak found employees had returned to work too soon after becoming ill, which put the health and safety of guests at risk, and that other hygiene standards in the staff areas were not up to the standards expected.

The organisation has recommended the hotel implement new procedures to ensure any staff falling ill report their illness to management and stay away from work for 48 hours, equipment and facilities are maintained to a high standard of hygiene and that guests are informed of any sickness or food poisoning at the venue.

Expert Public Health lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have backed the calls for improved hygiene and illness protocols at the hotel, as well as other venues in the UK, in an attempt to prevent illness outbreaks spreading to so many guests.

Amandeep Dhillon, a Partner and expert Public Health lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who currently represents 272 people affected by an outbreak of illness which has been linked to the Exeter Arms pub in Middlemoor, Exeter, said:

Expert Opinion

The failures at Crewe Hall Hotel uncovered by PHE are extremely concerning, particularly as the failings are reported to have contributed to the spread of the illness to the guests at the venue on New Year’s Eve. <br/> <br/>“Outbreaks of illness such as this can have a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of those affected. It is crucial these recommendations are implemented as soon as possible at the hotel, to ensure that the likelihood of incidents of this nature are reduced in the future. Amandeep Dhillon - Partner