Latest news with #HelgaPile
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cockroaches and rats plaguing NHS hospitals, say staff
Rats and cockroaches are among the pests plaguing NHS hospitals, according to an extensive survey of staff. NHS workers said rodents and cockroaches, as well as silverfish and other pests, are a regular feature of hospitals and other health service buildings. The survey of almost 9,000 health workers also revealed problems such as crumbling buildings, sewage leaks, defective lighting and broken toilets. The research was commissioned by the Unison, the union that represents a range of NHS employees including nurses, paramedics, scientists and cleaners. It suggested the pests were thriving in damp conditions and unfixed buildings. About one in six of those polled said they had seen vermin such as rats inside their building in the past 12 months. Similarly, 16 per cent said there had been other infestations such as silverfish, ants and cockroaches. The survey also found that almost one in five staff do not think their building is safe. More than half of employees reported seeing buckets catching leaking water in their workplace buildings in the past year while 23 per cent witnessed sewage leaks. Some 28 per cent said public toilets in their hospitals had been out of order for extended periods, while 30 per cent reported broken staff toilets. Almost half said lifts were out of order, 27 per cent said there was defective lighting and just over one in five warned of ceilings falling apart. One member of staff working in the North West said rodent bait boxes were dotted all over his hospital and a leaking waste pipe had resulted in a foul odour. However, rats were still getting into a room storing sterile instruments and supplies, he said. One hospital staff member from Scotland said ceilings had collapsed and water buckets collecting leaking rainwater were a constant trip hazard. One building had seen a beetle infestation, and there were regular sewage leaks from broken pipes. Another worker in charge of cleaning and handling medical equipment in the east of England told Unison he had seen mouse droppings on the floor and desks in reception, in staff break rooms and in the sterile instrument storage room. Helga Pile, Unison head of health, said: 'This survey paints a worrying picture of an NHS system that's falling apart at the seams and in need of a serious overhaul. 'No one should be dodging rats, stepping over sewage or watching out for falling ceiling tiles in NHS buildings. 'The last thing patients or staff want is vermin, cockroaches and other unpleasant things roaming the wards. Disease-carrying pests can put people's health at risk. 'Previous governments made wildly exaggerated claims about building new hospitals and raided pots of cash earmarked to improve the NHS estate. 'The NHS should be fit for the 21st century, not a crumbling Dickensian relic. 'Fixing the damage done by years of neglect isn't going to be a five-minute job. Money needs to be made available immediately to sort out the worst of the problems. 'Longer-term investment plans must be sped up and maintenance budgets spared the axe. 'If operations are cancelled and wards closed because of pests and sewage leaks, delays and waiting times will only get worse.' Saffron Cordery, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, said: 'Safety of patients and staff is the top priority, but this is being put at risk every day from crumbling buildings, pest infestations and sewage leaks. 'It's alarming that NHS trusts have to spend lots of money on pest control on top of a rocketing, near-£14 billion backlog of essential repairs to buildings and equipment which are in a very bad way. Vital parts of the NHS are falling to bits after years of underinvestment nationally. 'Hospitals as well as mental health, community and ambulance services are doing everything they can to improve productivity and deliver more high-quality care, but to do this they need safe, modern, efficient and reliable facilities. 'The condition of the NHS estate is holding them back from doing this as quickly as possible.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
NHS staff lift the lid on filthy conditions at hospitals
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.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS staff 'stepping over sewage, dodging rats and falling tiles' in hospitals
NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, according to staff. Staff also reported sewage leaks, defective lighting, broken toilets and crumbling ceilings. This is according to a poll of almost 9,000 health workers for the Unison union. Around one in six (16%) said they had seen vermin such as rats inside their building in the past 12 months. Similarly, 16% said there had been other infestations such as silverfish, ants and cockroaches. No rats. No mice. No cockroaches. Just endless clean corridors & wards. And hard working staff. Sick of ridiculous politicisation of NHS Scotland. @NHSForthValley @neilcgray — dave (@elgoldave) January 21, 2025 Silverfish are metallic, silvery bugs that thrive in damp conditions, while cockroaches can carry diseases and illnesses such as gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, typhoid and salmonella. Rats carry several diseases, such as leptospirosis (Weil's disease), which is spread in their urine. The new survey also found 17% of staff do not think their building is safe. More than half (52%) reported seeing buckets catching leaking water in their workplace buildings in the past year while almost a quarter (23%) witnessed sewage leaks. Some 28% said public toilets in their hospitals have been out of order for extended periods, while 30% reported broken staff toilets. Almost half (47%) said lifts are out of order, 27% said there was defective lighting, and about one in five (21%) warned of ceilings falling apart. One member of staff working in the north-west of England told how rodent bait boxes were dotted all over his hospital and a leaking waste pipe had resulted in a foul odour. However, rats were still getting into a room storing sterile instruments and supplies, he said. One hospital staff member from Scotland said ceilings had collapsed and water buckets collecting leaking rainwater were a constant trip hazard. One building had seen a beetle infestation and there were regular sewage leaks from broken pipes. Another worker in charge of cleaning and handling medical equipment in the east of England told Unison he had seen mouse droppings on the floor and desks in reception, in staff breakrooms and in the sterile instrument storage room. Helga Pile, Unison head of health, said: 'This survey paints a worrying picture of an NHS system that's falling apart at the seams and in need of a serious overhaul. 'No-one should be dodging rats, stepping over sewage or watching out for falling ceiling tiles in NHS buildings. 'The last thing patients or staff want is vermin, cockroaches and other unpleasant things roaming the wards. Disease-carrying pests can put people's health at risk. 'Previous governments made wildly exaggerated claims about building new hospitals and raided pots of cash earmarked to improve the NHS estate. 'The NHS should be fit for the 21st century, not a crumbling Dickensian relic. 'Fixing the damage done by years of neglect isn't going to be a five-minute job. 'Money needs to be made available immediately to sort out the worst of the problems. 'Longer-term investment plans must be sped up and maintenance budgets spared the axe. 'If operations are cancelled and wards closed because of pests and sewage leaks, delays and waiting times will only get worse.' The Department of Health has been contacted for comment. Recommended reading: Asda face 'boycott' after being accused of 'spying' on customers with cameras Can smart watches detect heart attacks? The science behind every runner's friend Working UK households set to be hundreds worse off over coming year Interim chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said: 'Safety of patients and staff is the top priority, but this is being put at risk every day from crumbling buildings, pest infestations and sewage leaks. 'It's alarming that NHS trusts have to spend lots of money on pest control on top of a rocketing, near-£14 billion backlog of essential repairs to buildings and equipment which are in a very bad way. 'Vital parts of the NHS are falling to bits after years of underinvestment nationally. 'Hospitals as well as mental health, community and ambulance services are doing everything they can to improve productivity and deliver more high-quality care, but to do this they need safe, modern, efficient and reliable facilities. 'The condition of the NHS estate is holding them back from doing this as quickly as possible.'
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
NHS hospitals plagued by rats, cockroaches and silverfish, staff say
NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, according to a large staff survey. A poll of almost 9,000 health workers for the Unison union suggests pests may be thriving in damp conditions and unfixed buildings. Staff also reported sewage leaks, defective lighting, broken toilets and crumbling ceilings. Of those polled, around one in six (16%) said they had seen vermin such as rats inside their building in the past 12 months. Similarly, 16% said there had been other infestations such as silverfish, ants and cockroaches. Silverfish are metallic, silvery bugs that thrive in damp conditions while cockroaches can carry diseases and illnesses such as gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, typhoid and salmonella. Rats carry several diseases such as leptospirosis (Weil's disease), which is spread in their urine. The new survey also found 17% of staff do not think their building is safe. More than half (52%) reported seeing buckets catching leaking water in their workplace buildings in the past year while almost a quarter (23%) witnessed sewage leaks. Some 28% said public toilets in their hospitals have been out of order for extended periods while 30% reported broken staff toilets. Almost half (47%) said lifts are out of order, 27% said there was defective lighting and about one in five (21%) warned of ceilings falling apart. One member of staff working in the north-west of England told how rodent bait boxes were dotted all over his hospital and a leaking waste pipe had resulted in a foul odour. However, rats were still getting into a room storing sterile instruments and supplies, he said. One hospital staff member from Scotland said ceilings had collapsed and water buckets collecting leaking rainwater were a constant trip hazard. One building had seen a beetle infestation and there were regular sewage leaks from broken pipes. Another worker in charge of cleaning and handling medical equipment in the east of England told Unison he had seen mouse droppings on the floor and desks in reception, in staff breakrooms and in the sterile instrument storage room. Helga Pile, Unison head of health, said: 'This survey paints a worrying picture of an NHS system that's falling apart at the seams and in need of a serious overhaul. 'No-one should be dodging rats, stepping over sewage or watching out for falling ceiling tiles in NHS buildings. 'The last thing patients or staff want is vermin, cockroaches and other unpleasant things roaming the wards. Disease-carrying pests can put people's health at risk. 'Previous governments made wildly exaggerated claims about building new hospitals and raided pots of cash earmarked to improve the NHS estate. 'The NHS should be fit for the 21st century, not a crumbling Dickensian relic. 'Fixing the damage done by years of neglect isn't going to be a five-minute job. 'Money needs to be made available immediately to sort out the worst of the problems. 'Longer-term investment plans must be sped up and maintenance budgets spared the axe. 'If operations are cancelled and wards closed because of pests and sewage leaks, delays and waiting times will only get worse.' Interim chief executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said: 'Safety of patients and staff is the top priority, but this is being put at risk every day from crumbling buildings, pest infestations and sewage leaks. 'It's alarming that NHS trusts have to spend lots of money on pest control on top of a rocketing, near-£14 billion backlog of essential repairs to buildings and equipment which are in a very bad way. 'Vital parts of the NHS are falling to bits after years of underinvestment nationally. ' Hospitals as well as mental health, community and ambulance services are doing everything they can to improve productivity and deliver more high-quality care, but to do this they need safe, modern, efficient and reliable facilities. 'The condition of the NHS estate is holding them back from doing this as quickly as possible.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'These findings are shocking and just show the appalling condition the NHS estate has been left in following more than a decade of neglect. There is no better illustration of the broken NHS than dilapidated buildings and vermin in our hospitals. 'It will take time, but this government is rebuilding the NHS through our Plan for Change. We are investing over £1 billion this year in maintenance, repairs, upgrades and tackling dangerous RAAC concrete – as part of the biggest capital budget in real terms since before 2010.'
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gold-plated NHS pensions cost taxpayers £1bn a month
The NHS is paying out nearly £1bn a month in staff pensions – around four times the amount it spends on the average person's healthcare, figures show. Retired members of the NHS Pension Scheme were paid £11,400 on average last year, with the total bill reaching £11.2bn. A further £757m was sent to 111,000 widows and dependants, according to the scheme's annual report. By comparison, last year's NHS budgets for England and Wales were £181.7bn combined, or the equivalent of around £3,000 per resident. NHS retirees are provided with guaranteed incomes for life that rise annually with inflation, many of which are based on the recipient's final salary. Almost 2,000 NHS staff already receive pensions of over £100,000 – a figure that has more than doubled in a year. And the Government has already handed over an extra £2.8bn per year since 2019 to help employers with the spiralling cost of gold-plated schemes. Taxpayers also paid £13.7bn in pension contributions for NHS workers, but Telegraph analysis of the report suggests this will hit £16bn for 2024 to 2025. John O'Connell, of TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'It will shock patients and taxpayers beyond belief the extent to which the NHS budget is devoted to feathering the nests of its often pampered employees. 'The productivity data on the health service is appalling, demonstrating that far too many in the system see employment as an easy pay day rather than as the vital public service that it should be. 'Public sector pensions in the NHS and beyond need a complete overhaul with new staff moved onto a defined contribution scheme, ensuring fairness for both staff and taxpayers.' NHS workers pay between 5.2pc and 12.5pc of their salary towards a pension, with employer contributions rising to 23.7pc in April last year. The previous rise in employer contributions – implemented in 2019 – has cost the Government £14bn over five years. Under current rules, high-earning workers can pay up to £60,000 a year into their pension before triggering a tax charge. Many NHS doctors who also work privately are in danger of exceeding this amount. Experts warned that this had led to them turning down work or retiring early to avoid unexpected tax charges. However, Helga Pile, of Unison, said that many NHS pensions were below average. She said: 'The figures are nothing like the true picture for many NHS workers, as they're skewed by higher-paid doctors and consultants. 'For much of the workforce, the reality is a pension lower than the NHS average. Many on the bottom pay grades are leaving the scheme entirely because they can't afford it. 'But if we want people to work in the NHS and deliver public services, it's only right for them to expect a decent income when they retire. Particularly when health workers have seen their pay eroded for a decade and more.' A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'This comparison is misleading as it compares two fundamentally different things – earned pension entitlements from decades of public service versus annual healthcare spending for the entire population. 'NHS pensions are part of the total reward package that has helped build and maintain our healthcare workforce over many years.' During her time in office, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already signed off on pay rises of up 22pc for junior doctors to ward off further strikes. She has also given a proposed 2.8pc pay increase the green light for 2024 to 2025, but the British Medical Association criticised the figure and warned of more walkouts if pay erosion was not addressed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
