Rats and maggots among 18,000 NHS pest problems

RATS in maternity wards, wasps' nests in imaging areas and ants coming through the ceiling are among the shocking pest problems hitting the NHS - costing £3million to fix.

- Ella Pickover

Cockroaches on wards, maggots in a mortuary, and rodents in a kitchen have also been reported by hospitals in England over the past three years.

One hospital said "black insects are biting the legs of staff", and the "whole building has a fly infestation".

Another institution found rat droppings in a body bag, while a further site discovered a headless pigeon.

More than 18,000 pest problems were reported across NHS hospitals in England over the past three years, according to data obtained under freedom of information requests by the Liberal Democrats.