The trust behind a Suffolk hospital recorded over 200 reports of pests in the last three years, including insects biting staff and rats in the ambulance area.

A freedom of information request has revealed East Suffolk and North East Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs Ipswich and Colchester hospitals, saw 75 pest reports made in 2021/22, 66 in 2022/23 and 86 in 2023/24. 

Incidents included black insects biting the legs of staff, ant and fly infestations, as well as rats in the ambulance area. 

Bury Mercury: Incidents included black insects biting the legs of staff, ant and fly infestations, as well as rats in the ambulance areaIncidents included black insects biting the legs of staff, ant and fly infestations, as well as rats in the ambulance area (Image: PA)

Nick Sammons, director of estates and facilities at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We take pest control seriously at ESNEFT. We want to provide the best environment possible in our hospitals for our staff to work in and so we can deliver high quality care for our patients.

"We use contractors to identify and deal with any issue quickly so patients and staff are not affected.

"Keeping our clinical and non-clinical areas pest free is essential. We take a proactive approach to maintain these standards and keep any issues under control."

Bury Mercury: Ipswich Hospital recorded over 200 pest reports since 2021Ipswich Hospital recorded over 200 pest reports since 2021 (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

Meanwhile the data, which was obtained by the Liberal Democrats, showed a somewhat different situation at West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds. 

There 14 reports of pests were made in 2022/23 and eight in 2023/24. 

A spokesperson for the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The trust takes pest control extremely seriously and responds to all reports of pests across its estate urgently and robustly.

"The trust has proactive measures in place to prevent pests, such as netting for pigeons in areas they are known to congregate, a rigorous cleaning schedule, continuous monitoring of the estate and monthly inspections."

The trust said prevention methods include netting to prevent pigeons congregating, a 'rigorous cleaning schedule' focussing on ensuring pigeon droppings and mice/rat droppings are identified, cleaned and reported, and a monthly inspection of the estate by a pest control company.

Since 2021, over 60 NHS Trusts have reported £3.7 million spent on pest control at their hospitals.