Ministers urged to improve NHS estate after £4m spent on pest control since 2019

The Scottish Government has been urged to improve the NHS estate after it emerged more than £4m has been spent on pest control in the past five years.

Data obtained by Scottish Labour as a result of a number of freedom of information requests to the country’s 14 regional health boards found the health service has spent £4.3m on pest control since 2019.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s spending was the highest at £2.1m.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “These figures tell a story of a constant battle to keep our crumbling hospitals and clinics safe from pests.

Labour’s Dame Jackie Baillie pushed for action (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Media

“The UK Labour Government delivered a record Budget settlement for Scotland, including funding for NHS capital projects – the SNP must make sure every penny goes to improving our NHS estate.

“Scottish Labour will prioritise our frontline NHS services so that patients and staff alike know that their environment is sanitary, clean and safe.”

The Scottish Government’s Budget, announced in December, set aside more than £1bn in capital spending for the NHS.

A spokesman for the Government said: “Our 2025-26 draft Budget sets out a record £21bn for health and social care, including more than £1 billion capital investment and £140m additional funding across NHS infrastructure to allow our health capital programme to restart.

“We want to deliver this transformational investment and drive further improvements for patients, but to do that, Parliament must approve our Budget Bill to unlock investment to drive the progress – and the healthier population – that we all want to see.”