A HEALTH chief has vigourously defended hygiene standards in the kitchens at Ashford's William Harvey Hospital after a report released at the weekend revealed cockroaches had been found there.

John Mills, deputy director of facilities at East Kent Hospitals NHS trust branded the report "incomplete" and "out-of-date", adding that a more recent inspection had praised the hospital's cleanliness.

He said: "We are totally committed to the highest standards of cleanliness in our hospitals and in July the Patient Environment Action Team [PEAT] from the Department of Health described hospital cleanliness at the hospital as 'excellent.'"

The discovery of cockroaches at the hospital was disclosed in a report compiled by Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb, based on the findings of official kitchen inspections in 377 hospitals in England.

It said adult cockroaches were found in the kitchens last year, and that this year there had been regular reports of cockroach infestation.

Mr Mills said: "This allegation is based on two out-of-date reports and is incomplete. For example, the two ‘fully grown’ adult cockroaches mentioned were found in traps that we had put down as a routine precaution and were dead. No live cockroaches have been seen or found in our kitchens."

He added: "I can report that satisfactory pest control arrangements are in place and that the hospital is committed to taking whatever action is necessary to prevent future problems."