Hospital reports rodent problem

TWO separate hospitals have experienced problems with rats and mice.

Patients in a six-bed ward at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon, had to be moved to another ward after a nurse noticed a rat on Sunday morning last. And yesterday it emerged pest control experts were contracted to deal with mice at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick.

In Roscommon, a report has been commissioned from a pest-control company. Local TD Denis Naughten said: “It is totally unacceptable that a rat should be seen in a hospital ward. If this was a private nursing home, it would be closed down immediately. There are 200 people in the hospital, and it is badly in need of refurbishment. I am blue in the face looking for funds to have a major job done on the hospital.”

The Health Service Executive (Western Region) issued a statement which said there was a “successful entrapment” of the rat. However, they claimed it was in a non-patient care area, even though Deputy Naughten said they told him the incident sparked the closure of St Catherine’s ward and adjoining kitchenette.

“Management immediately involved our pest control company and we are also following the advice of our Environment Health Officers,” said the HSE.

In Limerick, several mice had to be poisoned by the pest control specialist called in by the hospital. It is believed the mice were disturbed from a habitat outside the hospital buildings by construction workers and took refuge indoors. The rodents were seen moving through wards by startled patients.

The hospital spokesman said: “The Mid-Western Regional Hospital employs specialist contractors and has recently intensified its efforts in this regard, following reported sightings of mice.”