Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust fined
It's after a court ruled it failed to provide safe care and treatment
Last updated 15th Jun 2026
Today (15 June) at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been ordered to pay £324,143.47, after failing to provide safe care and treatment to Dr Chris Elliot at Cheltenham General Hospital.
This is as a result of a prosecution brought against the trust by the Care Quality Commission.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment to Dr Chris Elliot, who was infected by a strain of pseudomonas bacteria* at Cheltenham General Hospital, thereby causing him avoidable harm.
This resulted in one offence under Regulation 12(1) and 22(2)(a) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014. The court fined Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust £300,000 for this. The trust was also ordered to pay a £2000 victim surcharge and £22,143.47 costs.
On 9 August 2022, Dr Chris Elliot was admitted to Cheltenham General Hospital for chemotherapy treatment. By 18 August 2022, he had a confirmed pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, and he died on 23 August 2022 whilst suffering that infection.
Dr Elliot’s pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was genetically matched to a sample taken from the shower head in the ensuite bathroom of his ward. An earlier sample taken from the shower head had already tested positive for pseudomonas aeruginosa - on 1st August 2022 - but no action had been taken and the ensuite bathroom remained in use.
CQC brought the prosecution case because Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had a responsibility to take reasonably practicable steps to mitigate water safety risks to Dr Chris Elliot.
CQC deputy director of hospitals, secondary and specialist care in the South West, Catherine Campbell, said: “I would like to extend my sympathies to Dr Chris Elliot’s family and friends, following his tragic and likely preventable death.
“Dr Elliot was at particular risk of infection when he was admitted to Cheltenham General Hospital because he was immunosuppressed. He had the right to expect that risks within the hospital were being effectively managed to keep him safe.
“Had Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust ensured there were effective systems in place to manage water safety at the hospital, he would not have been placed in a room with a shower head that had tested positive for pseudomonas aeruginosa.
“The failure of the trust to protect Dr Elliot from avoidable harm is unacceptable and when an organisation exposes someone to such serious harm, CQC will act to hold them accountable.”
CQC does not keep the fines that the defendants are issued with by the court, this money goes directly to HM Treasury.
*pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria found in soil and water which can cause a range of serious infections, particularly in those with a weakened immune system.
The Trust said it has been prosecuted by the Care Quality Commission under Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 in relation to its duty to provide safe care and treatment. The prosecution was against the Trust as an organisation, and not any individual member of staff.
Chief Executive, Kevin McNamara, said: "We are deeply sorry for the death of Dr Christopher Elliot, a patient under our care in 2022 and for the profound impact this has had on his family. This was a tragedy that should never have happened.
"We extend our sincere condolences Dr Elliot's family - we are deeply sorry for their loss and for the precious time with him that they were denied at such an important moment.
“The Trust entered an early guilty plea and accepted full responsibility for the failings identified, which meant water test results were not shared by our contractor in a timely manner. This would have allowed swift action to be taken by the Trust to restrict access to the room where care was being provided.
“We co-operated fully with the Care Quality Commission throughout its investigation. We had already conducted our own detailed investigation following the incident and shared the findings with the family, regulators and partners.
"We remain committed to being open about what happened and to ensuring that the improvements we have put in place continue to keep our patients safe.”