NEW data has revealed how many pest problems have been reported at Hereford County Hospital over the last three years.

Pest control services were called to the hospital to look for mice, ants and flies, with exterminators returning to kill ants, flies and woodlice. No mice were found, according to the trust.

The ants were exterminated with powder, flies with electrocution lamps and woodlice with a combination of powder and liquid.

A total of 36 pest problems were reported at the Wye Valley NHS Trust hospital in Hereford over the last three years, according to data obtained under freedom of information requests by the Liberal Democrats.

A full breakdown of costs to deal with the hospital's pest problems was deemed "commercially sensitive" and not provided, but the data shows that at least £7,000 has been spent on pest control across the trust's estate.

A spokesperson for the Wye Valley NHS Trust said: "The trust has limited information as the vast majority of the work is at the County Hospital and this is managed on behalf of the trust by its partners, Sodexo. The details of the contracts and work carried out are commercially sensitive.

"Nevertheless, we welcome the reduction in the number of cases which reflects the fact that some of the older buildings, particularly on the County Hospital site, are being demolished and replaced with modern, fit-for-purpose facilities."

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Across England, there were more than 18,000 reported pest problems and a bill of more than £3 million on pest control.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said about the national statistics: "These are shocking revelations and another sign our hospitals are no longer up to scratch for sick patients and hardworking staff.

"In people's hour of need, they need to be safe. Instead, wards are falling apart at the seams, with foul pests allowed to roam freely. This is a scandal.

"Conservative ministers must act now by bringing forward emergency funds for hospitals. This Government has left the NHS in decay, with soaring bills. This madness has to end. It is time the NHS was put first, starting with making hospitals safe and clean again."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: "Individual NHS organisations are legally responsible for maintaining their estates.

"The Government has invested significant sums to upgrade and modernise NHS buildings so staff have the facilities needed to provide world-class care. We have also invested in mental health, urgent care and diagnostic capacity."