A BASINGSTOKE private hospital is to be prosecuted following an incident there two years ago during which three people were injured.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been investigating the incident at The Hampshire Clinic, in Basing Road, after chemicals leaked in a maintenance room, resulting in three people becoming injured.

Now, more than two years after the incident on March 11, 2021, the HSE said prosecution is being brought against Circle Health Group, which runs The Hampshire Clinic.

READ MORE: Fire service attend incident at The Hampshire Clinic

A contractor, employed by a third-party company, was carrying out maintenance to the hospital’s hydrotherapy pool at the time of the incident and was taken to A&E following a chemical leak, while two employees were treated at the scene for chlorine gas exposure.

It is not known what injuries they suffered or how severe they were.

The incident was reported by the private hospital to the HSE – the government agency responsible for the regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety, and welfare.

A statement from the HSE said: “A HSE prosecution is being brought against Circle Health Group (previously BMI Healthcare) following an incident at The Hampshire Clinic in Basingstoke that resulted in hospital admission for a contractor and two employees who required treatment for chlorine gas exposure.

SEE ALSO: The Hampshire Clinic still under investigation by HSE 18 months after incident

“Circle Health Group is accused of breaching Sections 2(1) & 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in relation to the incident on 11 March 2021.

“The charges follow an investigation by HSE, which is Britain’s workplace regulator.”

The first hearing is set to take place at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court in June.

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work act states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees.”

Section 3(1) of the act refers to those not employed by the company and the duty of employers to ensure they are “not exposed to risks to their health and safety”.

On Tuesday, April 25, it was reported that the Hampshire Clinic is set to permanently close its hydrotherapy pool, saying the reason is because of its age and “increasingly complex maintenance challenges associated with regulatory standards”.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Clinic said: “Patient and staff safety is our number one priority, and lessons have been learnt from this incident which involved a contractor and the hydrotherapy pool closing on April 30. 

"The Hampshire Clinic has been rated ‘good’ for quality and safety by the hospital regulator and has a strong track record of delivering rapid, high-quality treatment for local patients."