Disgust alarm in British hospitals: Rats and cockroaches spread!

Disgust alarm in British hospitals: Rats and cockroaches spread!

In 2025, a worrying picture of hygiene in European hospitals, particularly in the UK, emerges. A report in the Daily Mail describes catastrophic conditions characterized by rodents, vermin and mold. According to a survey of nearly 9,000 healthcare workers, these problems are widespread, with an alarming 16 percent of respondents finding rats in their facilities. Another 16 percent reported cockroaches and silverfish, which can carry potentially dangerous diseases. These serious hygiene issues are affecting facilities such as Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust, Whittington Health NHS Trust and Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

Hygiene conditions in several British hospitals have been rated as “very poor”. Over 50 percent of staff reported sewage leaks and other “leaks” in the buildings that pose a serious threat to patient safety. Helga Pile from trade union Unison is calling for an urgent overhaul of Britain's healthcare system, stressing that no one should work or be treated in a pest-plagued or unsafe hospital.

Lack of hygiene standards in Europe

A central point in the debate is the lack of uniform hygiene standards in Europe. While the National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2025 have applied to the British healthcare system since 2021, there is not yet a comprehensive application to the whole of Europe. These standards are intended to help continually improve cleanliness in healthcare organizations and include guidelines and recommendations to maintain hygiene at a high level.

The new standards also emphasize the need for a strategic cleaning plan and regular audits to ensure compliance with hygiene standards. They include specific requirements for different facilities, including a system for evaluating cleaning performance. mandatory compliance is required, and organizations must demonstrate how and to what standards they are cleaned.

Recommendations for hospital hygiene

In order to improve hygienic conditions in hospitals, the RKI publishes recommendations and guidelines for the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. These recommendations include relevant procedures to ensure basic hygiene and include technical audits and training of cleaning staff to ensure that all employees adhere to high hygiene standards. In the KRINKO recommendations The importance of waste management and ensuring cleaning efficiency are also addressed.

The problems in UK hospitals highlight the urgent need for a clear and consistent framework for hygiene in healthcare facilities. The reports highlight that investments in infrastructure and maintenance are essential to ensure a safe and clean environment for patients and staff.