Rats in the NHS

Wednesday, 06 Aug 2008 12:06

Rats in the NHS

Rats in hospitals

Wednesday, 06, Aug 2008 12:00

NHS trusts are having to call in pest control on a regular basis, figures released by the Conservatives have shown.

Hospitals have been plagued by infestations of mice, rats, ants and cockroaches, leading over half of the country's trusts to call in pest control at least 50 times since early 2006.

Infestations occurred in wards, clinics and operating theatres.

The Conservatives say the figures show Labour is derelicting its duty to improve standards in hospitals, but some NHS figures say the frequency of pest control call outs merely reflect a professional approach to cleanliness standards.

NHS Confed: NHS will address problems urgently

Patients Association: Findings are revolting

HPA: Infection risk is remote

Labour: Hospitals must be responsible

Tories: Labour is failing our hospitals

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