Vermin and insects at Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals have prompted pest-controllers to be called in more than 200 times in two years.

Rats, mice and cockroaches were among the blights reported at the two hospitals, along with ants, wasps hornets and other unspecified insects.

Figures released by the Conservative party on Wednesday showed that pest-controllers visited the hospitals 207 times between January 2006 and March 2008.

The hospitals, managed by Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, featured on a list of England’s NHS trusts which called in pest controllers at least 50 times during that period.

However, it was by no means the worst offender on the list, which included 70 per cent of trusts in the country. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust called out pest-controllers 1,070 times.

The Barnet and Chase Farm trust, which runs hospitals in Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, and The Ridgeway, Enfield, stressed that a pest controller visit did not necessarily indicate an infestation. A spokeswoman said: “Cleanliness of our hospitals and patient safety are key priorities for this trust. We have a rigorous and proactive pest control regime in place to handle any possible vermin or pest infestation.”

Rentokil teams survey both hospital sites on a weekly basis to assess risk and take preventative action, according to the trust.

There are also six-monthly checks, random night inspections and an immediate call-out system.

“If there is a need for remedial action, [pest control company] Rentokil is called to the sites straight away,” a spokeswoman said.

The trust’s chief executive, Averil Dongworth, added: “We take a report or sighting of vermin or pests very seriously and will take all steps to eradicate them. It is a credit to our estate team and contractors that we are able to deal with pest control in a speedy and efficient manner given we cover two major hospitals with multiple buildings.”

Alex Nunes, ex-chairman of the Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) forum, admitted he was aware of past incidents but he believes the lack of Government funding is to blame.

He said: “We have known of the problems. One year we had a dead pigeon in the ceiling above one of the operating theatres at Barnet General. Things do occur unfortunately and it is bad for patients, and it would be much nicer if it could be prevented, but until there is adequate funding to ensure that, it will happen.

“It is not the trust’s fault. The NHS is perpetually underfunding. When the trust gets adequate funding, I do not doubt that 90 per cent of these problems will disappear. ”

In the two-year period, 20,000 pest infestations or suspected infestations were reported across the country.

Councillor Brenda Batten, portfolio holder for health, said: "It is of the utmost importance to have a clean hospital and I would think the trust would have got to grips with this situation by now.

"It should not be that it needs to spend money to get pest control companies in to help. If you are a patient you would be put off going there.

"Once a hospital has a reputation like this it is hard too get rid of it so the trust should work towards solving this problem as soon as possible."