Second cockroach discovery in hospital kitchen

COCKROACHES, silverfish insects and black mould were all found in the kitchen area of a major Scottish hospital.

The kitchen area of the Western General in Edinburgh was judged to be an “ideal habitat” for cockroaches.

Following the inspection, the hospital was marked “Improvement Required” by Food Standards Scotland.

The check was carried out in April but has only now been revealed following a Freedom of Information request.

The cockroaches were discovered just two years after the same insects were discovered in the kitchen at the same hospital.

The full report from the inspection noted a total of 10 contraventions of Food Standards Scotland regulations.

The report stated: “The design, construction, sitting and size of the boxed-in space behind the kitchen dishwashing machine is causing the formation of condensation and undesirable mould.

“The lack of ventilation and heat/moisture from hot pipes is creating an ideal habitat for cockroaches. Two dead German cockroaches were seen inside.”

It added: “Silverfish insects were seen at the radiator in the hall outside the catering offices.”

George Curley, director of facilities at NHS Lothian, said: “We take food hygiene and safety extremely seriously and have robust processes in place to maintain high standards across all of our premises.

“Following this unannounced inspection in April immediate actions were taken to address each of the issues it raised.”