Rats, cockroaches and lice among pests plaguing NHS hospitals | UK News [Video]

Rats, cockroaches, wasps and lice – these are just some of the pests plaguing NHS hospitals across England.

Official data shows A&E departments, children’s wards, maternity units and staff kitchens have been affected by infestations.

Meanwhile, maggots were discovered in a mortuary and rat droppings in a body bag.

Some insects even bit workers in another sign of the failings of the government in the health service.

Hospitals have faced record bill to repair rundown buildings in attempts to cope with the more than 18,000 incidents in the last three years.

The shocking number included 6,666 in 2023 – equivalent to 18 a day.

The figures show altogether £3.7 million was spent dealing with the pests – as the maintenance backlog to repair rundown buildings hits £11.6billion.

The figures – obtained from 142 NHS hospital trusts in England using Freedom of Information laws – were found by the Lib Dems.

But only …