There were over 58 pest incidents recorded in Roscommon hospital and 26 in Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe in the past five years, according to records released this week.
A report published in last weekend’s Star Sunday revealed the extent to which local hospitals were forced to deal with the invasion of pests in recent years, with mice and rats the main cause for concern in Ballinasloe and Roscommon.
Incidents for which pest control services were called in Portiuncula between 2006 and 2009 include sightings of rats, mice, and mouse droppings, a woodlice infestation in a physio bathroom, ants in a cardiology rehab bathroom, and silverfish in occupied paediatric wards. The hospital was also criticised for failing to carry out repairs to gaps around waste pipes in 2007, despite numerous requests. In the Roscommon facility there were reports of mouse and rat activity in various areas.
The Midland Regional Hospitals in Mullingar, Tullamore, and Portlaoise also recorded high incidence of pest control, with 112 incidents recorded in Tullamore between 2005 and 2009; 99 in Portlaoise between 2006 and 2009; and 32 in Mullingar between 2006 and 2009.
Incidents for which pest control services were called in Mullingar include sightings of mice in the out-patients department and day wards, mouse droppings in the coffee dock area, rodents in wards and the A&E kitchen area, and a sighting of dead rodents.
A children’s ward in Tullamore had to be treated for cockroaches and beetles, and other areas for ant activity. Incidents in Portlaoise include sightings of silverfish in a maternity ward.
Reacting to the report this week, a spokesperson for HSE West and HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster said that hospitals regularly contract specialist pest control companies to undertake inspections as part of their ongoing maintenance and environmental hygiene management.
“The issue of pest control is treated very seriously and every effort is made to ensure premises are free from vermin and other pests and to ensure that measures are in place to control access points, particularly at ground floor level and particularly during maintenance and construction projects,” said the spokesperson.
“All recommendations in relation to pest control made by the specialist contractors and/or HSE environmental health officers are implemented without undue delay.”
Nationwide, the report reveals that pest control companies were called out at least 1,136 times by hospital authorities to deal with sightings of pests over the past five years.
The worst hit hospital was Sligo General Hospital, with 199 incidents between 2005 and 2009. Tullamore is fourth on the list, Portlaoise fifth, Mullingar seventh, and Roscommon eighth.
