Becky Allen, healthcare solutions lead at MRI Software, looks at how the Internet of Things can strengthen Legionella control by giving facilities managers real-time visibility into water system performance across entire buildings and healthcare estates.
Recent reports1 of a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases under investigation in London have once again highlighted the critical importance of water safety management in public buildings. While investigations continue following coverage from BBC News, incidents like this serve as a reminder that controlling Legionella risk requires constant vigilance.
Having spent years working with NHS estates teams, I have seen first-hand how a single oversight or gap in water system management can escalate into a significant risk. It is not just about ticking boxes on compliance forms — it is about ensuring that every patient, visitor, and staff member is safe every day. That personal responsibility is what drives the adoption of smarter, technology-enabled approaches to water safety.
In healthcare environments, the stakes are even higher. Hospitals and care facilities support patients whose immune systems may already be compromised, meaning exposure to Legionella bacteria can have particularly serious consequences. For estates and facilities teams across the NHS, managing water safety is therefore not simply a compliance exercise — it is a critical component of patient safety.
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