Dead cockroaches found in hospital kitchen

Nov 1 2007 by Staff Reporter, Cynon Valley Leader

DEAD cockroaches were found in traps at Aberdare Hospital's kitchen during inspection visits in August.

North Glamorgan NHS Trust, which is responsible for the hospital, said the problem had now been rectified.

The problem is one of a number relating to South Wales hospitals revealed in health inspection reports on hospital food preparation areas obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

At Mountain Ash Hospital, mould was found on the ceiling of the dishwashing area and inspectors also found flaking wall paint.

Problems were also found at more than a dozen other South Wales hospitals.

A health inspector described the finding of cockroach corpses at Aberdare Hospital during visits on August 6 and 17 as “not acceptable” and “a risk to health”.

His report said: “Cockroach activity in a hospital kitchen in particular poses a risk to health and is not acceptable.”

Investigations showed a pest controller had last visited the site on June 28, but returned at the inspector's request.

The inspector's follow-up visit 11 days later found traps were empty.

In a written response, North Glamorgan NHS Trust said it would increase the number of routine inspections to six a year.

The Trust said: “The control of cockroaches is achieved by the use of baits which contain a slow-acting active ingredient that works by spreading throughout the colony.

“The roaches will feed on one another's droppings and dead bodies as well as the baits, thus ensuring complete eradication.

“The treatment is usually carried out over a period of time, during which the Eco Lab (the contractor) would normally carry out weekly visits to ensure that the baits are kept topped up to a suitable level.

“As the kitchen is now clear of the cockroaches, it has proved that the treatment was a success.

“The Trust ensured that weekly visits would be carried out if this infestation reoccurs.”

Julie Barratt, Wales director of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said that, although the findings were not ideal, they were by no means unusual or of undue concern.

The way Aberdare Hospital dealt with its cockroach infestation was “standard procedure” and posed no risk to health, she said. l The Cynon Valley Leader has been invited by North Glamorgan NHS Trust to inspect the hospital kitchens. A reporter and photographer will be visiting Aberdare Hospital this week. See next week’s Leader for a full report.