“Various Pests, Including Rats and Cockroaches, Uncovered in English Hospitals”

English NHS hospitals are grappling with an onslaught of pests, including rats, cockroaches, and bedbugs, amidst record-high repair costs. Hospital administrators are compelled to allocate millions towards pest control as they uncover infestations of lice, flies, and rodents across various hospital departments, underscoring the dire condition of NHS facilities.

Repeated warnings from NHS leaders to government officials highlight the urgent necessity of investing in the refurbishment of deteriorating hospital infrastructure to uphold patient and staff safety and dignity. With an overwhelming maintenance backlog now totaling £11.6 billion in England alone, NHS facilities struggle to combat an escalating pest problem.

Data obtained through freedom of information requests and analyzed by The Guardian reveal over 18,000 pest incidents in the past three years, averaging 18 incidents per day in 2021 alone. However, the actual figures may be substantially higher, as only 59 of 142 NHS hospital trusts responded to the inquiries.

Among the respondents, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London reported the highest expenditure on pest control, totaling £383,597, addressing 2,157 incidents. Similarly, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Essex incurred significant expenses combating various pest infestations.

Leaders in healthcare advocacy express deep concern and condemnation over these findings, emphasizing the unacceptable nature of exposing patients and healthcare workers to pest infestations amid their health challenges. The mounting repair costs, coupled with the persistent threat posed by pests, underscore the urgent need for government intervention and investment in NHS infrastructure.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey denounces the deteriorating conditions within NHS hospitals as a national scandal, urging immediate government action to address the crisis and prioritize patient safety. While NHS hospital trusts assert their commitment to maintaining clean and safe environments, they acknowledge the ongoing challenges posed by pest control.

In response, the Department of Health and Social Care reaffirms NHS hospital trusts’ legal responsibility for estate maintenance, including pest control, while highlighting substantial government investments in upgrading NHS infrastructure. Nonetheless, the imperative to address the pressing issues plaguing NHS hospitals remains paramount, necessitating collaborative efforts between government agencies and healthcare providers to safeguard patient well-being.