The wonder that is the NHS

In my last post of making a case for Libertarianism, FoolOnTheHill gave me a lot of stick, saying that it couldn't just be dismantled. However, after 60 years of decay, with C Diff and MRSA infections rising, apparently uncontrolled, comes this little ray of sunshine from Pravda, which may make him think again upon the wonder that is the NHS:

The cleanliness of most NHS hospitals in England is threatened by frequent invasions of rats, fleas, bedbugs, flies and cockroaches, a report claims.

Figures released by the Conservatives show that 70% of NHS Trusts brought in the pest controllers at least 50 times between January 2006 and March 2008.

Vermin were found in wards, clinics and even operating theatres. A patients' group said the situation was revolting.

But health chiefs played down fears the infestations could lead to disease.

The figures were obtained by the Conservatives under the Freedom of Information Act, with every hospital asked to reveal how often pest controllers had visited over the two-year period in question.

Of those who replied, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust topped the table, with more than 1,000 incidents, and five other trusts passed the 800 mark. All the respondents had reported some pest problem in the two-year period.

The 800 mark means more than once a day. 70% of hospitals need to call in pest control twice a month.

I see that the "chin-rich area that is Ivan Lewis" (H/T The Croydonian) is weighing in (ho! ho!) to the debate, too:

Last night health minister Ivan Lewis said: 'There is more than a whiff of hypocrisy in these comments from Andrew Lansley.

'It is the Conservatives who oppose Labour's hospital deep-cleaning programme.

'They also oppose our demanding targets on healthcare-acquired infections which have proved so effective in tackling MRSA and C.diff.'

Ah, nothing like a good old state-set and -monitored target to make things better, eh?

Cunt.