In response to Liberal Democrat figures showing that hospitals spent £3m on pest control, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"Safety of patients and staff is paramount.

"Sadly, far too many NHS buildings and equipment are in a very bad way, with an £11bn backlog of essential repairs mounting at an alarming rate. It's worrying that on top of this trusts have to spend millions on pest control.

"The cost of trying to maintain creaking buildings and out-of-date facilities is rocketing. Many mental health, community, hospital and ambulance services need major government investment to tackle significant risks to the safety of patients and staff.

"To provide first-class care the NHS needs safe, efficient and reliable buildings, facilities and equipment."