Woman in care home suffers burns in hot bath

Health and safety chiefs have launched an investigation after a woman with learning disabilities suffered burns when she climbed into a bath of scalding water at a care home.

The woman, 31, who receives round-the-clock care at the Real Life Options centre in Bathgate, West Lothian, was left with serious injuries to her lower body on Tuesday morning.

The resident climbed into the full bath at just after 8am before her carers realised the water was scalding hot and called 999. She was rushed to St John’s Hospital, Livingston, where she may require skin grafts to severe burns on her feet, legs and lower body.

The Gideon Street-based care home, which is funded by 
Edinburgh City Council and West Lothian Council, looks after residents with severe learning disabilities.

The Health and Safety Executive and the Care Inspectorate are now investigating the incident, which is believed to be down to a “technical error” within the water system.

Police said the incident looked to be “non-malicious”, but confirmed they had visited the care home and were working with the Health and Safety Executive and the Care Inspectorate to find out what happened.

A spokesman for the home said they had also launched their own “full investigation”.

Real Life Options operates across the UK, working privately and with local authorities.