Visitor sees rat running down a corridor

Date published: 11 February 2010

Managers at Fairfield Hospital called in a pest control firm after a stunned visitor spotted a rat running down a corridor.

The area in the children’s outpatients department was immediately sectioned off, and clinics relocated, while the area was cleaned.

A spokesperson for the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Fairfield General Hospital, said: “Following the sighting of what looked like a rat by a patient at the children’s outpatient department at Fairfield General Hospital last week, a pest control company was called in immediately and were on site within 15 minutes.

Traps were put down and alternative accommodation was arranged so that clinics could continue until the area had been thoroughly cleaned and investigated. The problem was dealt with swiftly and the area made safe and reopened the next day.

We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to some patients and their families, but I’m sure our patients will understand the need and urgency for the Trust to investigate and resolve the problem as quickly as possible.”