AIREDALE Hospital has spent £6,259 in the past year to rid its wards and departments of pests such as ants, wasps and rats.

Pest control had to be called out to the Steeton site 118 times in 2014-15, almost four times more than in the previous year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Ants on its wards, in X-Ray and at A&E as well as some of its offices have been the biggest pest problem of all, requiring 74 call-outs in 2014-15, compared to 25 times the year before and on only nine occasions the previous year to that.

After ants, wasps were the other biggest pest needing 17 call-outs, followed by ten for mice and rats and nine for silver fish.

Outbreaks of fleas and other biting insects each demanded the attention of pest control twice.

Stacey Hunter, director of operations at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Due to the changing weather we have had over the last few years we have seen an increase in insects on the hospital site and have called in pest control experts to ensure any concerns are dealt with quickly and do not become a nuisance for staff and patients.

"The hospital’s rural setting does pose different challenges in comparison to city centre sites, however keeping patients safe and reducing any risk of harm or infection is always our top priority and we treat insect infestations just as seriously as any other incidents that could affect patient care.”