NHS fights 50 per cent boom in rat infestations

NHS hospitals are spending tens of thousands of pounds battling a surge in rat infestations.

The average number of times NHS trusts have called in pest control services to get rid of rats and mice has risen by 50 per cent since 2018.

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, pest controllers were called in 409 times last year – more than once a day across six hospital buildings.

It has spent nearly £16,000 on pest control at three hospitals alone since 2021, data released under the Freedom of Information Act shows.

Barts Health Trust in London has called out pest control more than 1,000 times in the past five years.

Hospitals are reportedly struggling with cleanliness and a shortage of cleaners.

Patients’ videos apparently showing rats strolling in hospital corridors have gone viral.

Some hospitals have told nurses to double up as cleaners amid staffing shortages.

Kings College Hospital Trust in South London has called pest control out 958 times since 2018 – 585 of those since 2022. It put the spike down to improved logging of pest sightings, as well as ‘extensive building works being undertaken’.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said it employs its own in-house pest control team.

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Record waiting lists, industrial action and dangerous ambulance delays are not the only things plaguing the NHS.

‘The least patients expect is to be treated in a safe, clean environment. We will provide the investment and reform to make the NHS fit for the future.’

NHS England said: ‘Hospitals must have an effective pest control policy and it is good practice to use experts to quickly deal with any issue so staff and patients aren’t affected.’

King’s College Hospital Trust added: ‘As a large NHS provider with a number of historic buildings, we have effective pest control measures in place.’