Health officials have defended their record on pest control after the release of figures showing the number of rodent and other pest incidents in Welsh hospitals.

Figures obtained by Conservative AM Alun Cairns revealed hundreds of pest incidents across Wales, including maggots in kitchen areas and cockroaches in wards.

The figures for the Hywel Dda Trust showed that between 2006/07 and 2007/08 there were 32 pest control incidents in Pembrokeshire.

Of those, 23 incidents were at Withybush Hospital, with eight recorded at Pembrokshire Mental Health Services.

But a Hywel Dda NHS Trust spokesman told the Western Telegraph that none of the serious pest control incidents — such as maggots or cockroaches — occurred in the trust’s area.

The spokesman said the incidents in Pembrokeshire tended to be outdoor such as bats, birds and rodents and included false alarms.

None of the incidents happened in patient areas.

“Incidents of pest infestation within the trust are among the lowest in Wales,” the spokesman said.

“For example, two of the incidents involving rodents were in outlying buildings unoccupied by patients with all remaining rodent incidents being outdoor sightings.

“However, the trust is not complacent and prevention and control policies are in place. This includes regular routine monitoring and inspections, as well as robust reporting procedures.”

An Assembly spokesman said the number of rodent and pest control call-outs reflected a proactive approach by trusts across Wales to a perennial problem.