THE trust that runs Basingstoke and Andover hospitals has spent more than £20,000 so far this financial year dealing with pests.

Figures provided by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that so far this financial year it has dealt with two pest problems on its property.

The figures show that in the year 2021/22 it dealt with two reports of pests on trust property, resulting in it spending £26,875 to deal with the problem.

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In 2022/23 it dealt with four pest incidents and spent £28,327 on pest control.

So far this year (2023/24) the trust has dealt with two pest incidents and spent £23,516.

However, in response to the request for information, the trust said it was unable to say what the pests were and in which locations they were found.

It said: “The trust does not record this information as described above; therefore, we are not able to readily retrieve this data as this is generally covered under contract. However, pests normally include flies, wasps, silver fish, rats, hornets and bees.”

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It added: “Please note, The Royal Hampshire County Hospital and Andover War Memorial Hospital has an annual contract with a pest control company which includes eight visits per year. In addition, an average additional 12 callouts are made per year.”

The costs associated with pest control include the pest control contracts across all of its three sites and the 12 visits.

A spokesperson for HHFT said: "We follow NHS guidance in relation to pest control, this includes having a contract with a licensed specialist pest control company.

"Pest control services are provided to all three hospitals run by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust including the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, the Andover War Memorial Hospital and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. This includes routine scheduled visits and a call-on service provided in response to evidence of any pests.

"We also encourage colleagues to follow good housekeeping practices to help limit pest control incidents and issues."