21-03-2025
'Outrage' after dead cockroaches and wasps found in hospital waiting room
A hospital visitor discovered dead cockroaches and insects in a waiting room. Images show insects - including cockroaches and wasps - lining a plastic information display case in a waiting room at Wigan Infirmary.
The hospital trust admitted 'managing an ageing NHS estate is always a challenge' and that it 'actively engages with an external pest control' to 'support standards of cleanliness'.
Bosses insist it was an 'isolated case' and that 'immediate action was taken' after staff were alerted. The trust highlighted that it was recently named as the cleanest acute trust in the UK for the second year in a row.
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Peter Barlow, from Leigh, wrote to his MP Jo Platt, saying: "I am writing to express my deep concern and outrage regarding the shocking state of hygiene at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Specifically, at the out-of-hours GP service at Wigan Infirmary, which also serves as the vascular studies waiting room, I have witnessed an unacceptable level of cleanliness, including cockroaches and other insects in an information tray.
"This is absolutely disgraceful and raises serious questions about infection control and patient safety. Such conditions are entirely unacceptable in any healthcare setting, let alone a hospital in the UK. It is clear that this issue has been ongoing, as these pests appear to have been present for some time."
Mr Barlow called on the MP to take action, adding: "I urge you to take immediate action and hold the relevant authorities accountable for this failure. Patients and staff deserve a clean and safe environment.
"It is unacceptable that conditions in our NHS hospitals have deteriorated to this extent. I would appreciate an update on what steps will be taken to address this issue and prevent such neglect in the future."
A spokesperson for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) said: 'Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust would like to reassure our patients and the public that environmental hygiene across all our sites is taken very seriously. Managing an ageing NHS estate is always a challenge and WWL actively engages with an external pest controlmanagement contractor to support the standards of cleanliness throughout its sites.
"Once we were made aware of this isolated case, immediate action was taken, and the area will continue to be actively managed moving forward. We are very proud that WWL was recently named as the cleanest acute trust in the UK for the second year in the Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) assessments, with our sites showing a consistent improvement in the environmental services we provide within our patient environment.
'At WWL, we welcome patient feedback and take every complaint very seriously so would encourage Mr Barlow to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service for support or a guided return visit to see that his concerns have been addressed and resolved.'
MP Jo Platt responded to the incident, saying: "I was informed of this issue by a resident and my office has already reached out to PALS to formally raise this complaint.
"I want to assure my constituents that I take these matters extremely seriously and am fully committed to taking swift and decisive action to ensure the highest standard of care is provided to every patient. I am encouraged that the trust has responded promptly and taken the necessary steps to resolve the issue."
