The true extent of hospital pest infestations has been revealed today, in figures obtained by the Welsh Conservatives.
One hospital alone has dealt with 272 cases since 2007, in areas including wards, theatres and A&E. Morriston Hospital reported 83 cases during 2007/08, 67 in 2008/09, 80 during 2009/10 and 42 during the financial year to date.
The figures – acquired following a Freedom of Information request to Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board – have been revealed during First Minister’s Questions.
In all, the Health Board reports over 700 cases of pest infestation since 2007.
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly, Nick Bourne AM, said: “These figures clearly show the size of the pest problem within our hospitals.
“While Morriston hospital has reported cases in 20 different departments, other hospitals are also dealing with the same issues. Singleton for example, has dealt with 171 cases over the last four years, in areas like chemotherapy and cancer care.
“This is an obvious health hazard and there is a clear risk of disease spreading.
“Successive Labour-led Assembly Governments have reorganised the Health Service – twice – with the result that since 2002, the number of NHS managers has gone up by 75 per cent.
“In the same time period, the number of maintenance and works staff in the Welsh NHS has gone down.
“It cannot be a coincidence that we see a pest problem of this magnitude while Labour-Plaid is cutting the very people who can deal with it.
“In its final budget, this government is cutting the NHS by £1 billion over the next three years. That is only going to multiply these sorts of problems ten-fold. Our health service should be treasured and supported – not cut. The health budget should be protected in line with inflation.”
