NHS hospitals are calling out pest control almost 600 times a month, new figures have revealed – sparking fears over deadly infections.
Source: Express.co.uk Date: 6 May 2015
The shocking news comes after it emerged that David Cameron has sacked over 2,000 cleaners since 2011.
Princess Royal Hospital in West Sussex reported five rat infestations in just two months last year.
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A trust in North Bristol warned that ants were "crawling over patients", while the bugs infested a maternity unit in Shropshire.
Aintree University Hospital spotted 67 cockroaches in 2013/14 – including on wards.
One hospital in Swindon reported: "Pigeons were seen on roof. Six pigeons shot using air rifle and removed from site."
And NHS workers in Sheffield noticed bite marks on mental health patients.
In total 15 hospital trusts are failing to meet basic cleanliness standard, according to an independent watchdog.
Labour's health spokesman said: "NHS staff are working flat-out but patients in some hospitals are being exposed to poor care under the Tories."
"Wards are already short-staffed and, as hospitals head millions of pounds into deficit, the cleaning staff have been cut back too."
But a Tory spokesperson hit back, claiming that the party has halved hospital infections since taking power.