Hospitals are on the alert for rodents

NEW documents reveal that rats were found or reported in Belmullet District Hospital on six occasions last year, writes Claire McNamara.

Details released under the Freedom of Information Act to the Connaught Telegraph from the HSE show that in 2017, ISS Pest Control carried out routine inspections in the hospital from February to September, and for six of those months, bait was taken externally up on the embankment - opposite Aras Deirbhle/kitchen.

However, all other internal and external points were clear and they rebated as necessary.

On November 7, ISS received a callout to the hospital because a mouse was seen the day before in the female section.

All bait points were checked and bait was taken at all external points, including outside the kitchen. All internal points were clear and they rebated as necessary.

Bromadiolone was used on all six occasions to combat the problem.

The hospital spent a total of €664 on pest control last year.

In Swinford District Hospital, ISS received a call out to the hospital on November 2 as a mouse was seen in the staff kitchen and ran out into the corridor and into rooms that night.

Separately, a mouse was caught in the staff kitchen since the previous visit and was disposed of by staff.

Their total spend on pest control services in 2017 was €754.

In Mayo University Hospital, their total spend on pest control for last year was €2,000.

However, the types of rodent found/visible was not specified in the service reports, but rodent was visible/found at external sites.

The Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar spent €1,400 on pest control.

However, the only type of rodent visible was mice droppings which were found in the external bait box.

The HSE have not responded for comment.