HC Deb 16 July 1985 vol 83 cc130-1W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice his Department offers to hospitals regarding control of pest infestation.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We provide an advisory service on pest control to the National Health Service. Health authorities were notified of this service in HN(76)186. We encourage each district to have at least one officer trained in basic pest control procedures and to meet this aim our Department organises one week residential courses in pest control management. Since 1977 we have run 24 such courses each with an average attendance of 20.

We have also issued two advice notes on the subject:

  1. 1. Domestic Service Advice Note No. 5—'An Introduction to Pest Control in Hospitals' (2nd Edition, 1984).
  2. 2. Domestic Service Advice Note No. 6—'Pest Control—Contract Management' (1981).

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest figure for the proportion of National Health Service hospitals which have infestations of (a) pharoah's ants and (b) other pests; and from what source the figure is derived.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The latest information available on the incidence of pharoah's ants in National Health Service hospitals in England indicated that 11.6 per cent. of hospitals surveyed were infested. These figures are taken from: Edwards J P and Baker L F, 1981: "Distribution and importance of the pharoah's ant monomorium pharonis (L) in National Health Service Hospitals in England", Journal of Hospital Infection 2, 249–254. We have no information on the prevalence of other pest species in National Health Service hospitals.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions environmental health officers have referred to pest infestation in their reports on hygiene in hospitals.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

We do not collect centrally the information requested.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the British Pest Control Association regarding pest infestation hospitals.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

None.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the pests which are known to have infested National Health Service hospitals, indicating the extent of the incidence of the infestations and their seriousness in terms of patients' health.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

At one time or another National Health Service hospitals are known to have suffered from the following pests: rats, mice, feral cats, sparrows, pigeons and various species of ants, cockroaches, and other insects. I am sure an equally impressive list could be compiled by any other large organisation responsible for residential buildings if it was asked a similar open question without limits of time and I hope the right hon. Member will not derive alarmist conclusions from it. We do not keep a central record of the extent and incidence of infestations by pests, but health authorities must take all possible measures to minimise the effects of pest infestation on patients' health.