Eastbourne District hospital: Bed bugs, cockroaches and rats found

The data, revealed in an FOI request submitted by the Liberal Democrats, lists all the pest complaints at hospitals run by East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust since 2018. 

At Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH), the most recent reports were of birds fouling in the courtyard in the past year. 

In January 2022 there were rodents in the main kitchen at the hospital and in 2018 there were three reports of bed bugs. 

There were two reports of cockroaches, including once in the A&E department in 2022.

Cockroaches were found in the A&E at EDGH (Image: Getty Images)

Wasp's nests were also found at the hospital residences in 2022. 

At Conquest Hospital in St Leonards, there were nine reports of rodents over the five years. 

• READ MORE: Thousands of pest problems reported by NHS hospitals

Ants were in ward rooms in 2021 and last June the hospital was treated for brown tail moths. 

The moths have hairs that can cause breathing difficulties and rashes when in contact with the skin. 

A magpie was found in netting at Conquest Hospital (Image: RSPB)

More unusual reports include a mink-eating fish in March 2021 and a magpie caught in netting in February of the same year. 

At the Arthur Blackman Clinic in St Leonards there have been three ant infestations in the dental surgery - once in 2021 and twice in 2022.

An East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust spokesman said: "We take all pest control matters seriously and deal with them swiftly. We enforce high standards of cleanliness and maintain a number of prevention measures as well as taking a robust approach to any incidents when they occur."