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NHS staff lift the lid on filthy conditions at hospitals

Infestations of rats, cockroaches and silverfish were reported at NHS hospitals
Infestations of rats, cockroaches and silverfish were reported at NHS hospitals (PA Wire)
  • A Unison survey of nearly 9,000 NHS workers reveals a state of disrepair in UK hospitals, including infestations of disease-carrying pests like rats, cockroaches, and silverfish.
  • Alongside pest issues, staff reported sewage leaks, faulty lighting, broken toilets, and decaying ceilings, raising concerns about hygiene and safety.
  • Seventeen per cent of staff expressed concerns about the safety of their workplace buildings. One in six reported seeing vermin, and a similar number reported insect infestations.
  • Unison's head of health, Helga Pile, has called for immediate funding to address the "crumbling Dickensian relic" of the NHS and prevent further deterioration of patient care.
  • NHS Providers' interim chief executive has echoed those concerns, emphasising the risks to patient and staff safety posed by dilapidated facilities and the financial strain of addressing those issues.
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