Cockroaches reported in 2 rooms at Regina General Hospital in October

Cockroaches were discovered in two rooms at Regina General Hospital’s Mother Baby Unit.

The Government of Saskatchewan has said the proper steps have been taken after cockroaches were discovered in two rooms at the Regina General Hospital last month.

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill confirmed during question period on Monday that the incident took place in mid-October and affected a pair of rooms in the hospital’s mother-baby unit.

“My understanding from speaking with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) late last week and early this week is that there hasn’t been evidence of more cockroaches or anything in that unit since,” Cockrill told reporters.

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NDP MLA Jeremy Clarke posed the question to the government after receiving constituents’ concerns about cockroaches and mice droppings being discovered at the hospital.

“I think there are serious health concerns for people who are getting care. Especially, babies in the mother-baby unit, if there’s feces from mice in in the room there you have potential disease contaminants,” Clarke said following question period.

According to Cockrill, the cockroaches were accidentally brought in by a patient and their family.

“The reality is that regardless of how people show up, the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s (SHA’s) job is to provide dignified and respectful care to whoever shows up at our door,” the minister told reporters.

SHA chief operating officer Derek Miller said the health authority acted quickly after the pests were discovered.

“When we were notified of that, we responded very quickly to vacate the rooms, to engage our contracted pest control service and make the space safe and then monitor, of course afterwards,” he explained. “There’s no further evidence of cockroaches once we had responded to the situation.”

When asked about the concerns over mice at the hospital, Miller said the SHA monitors for the signs of any breaches or infestations constantly.

“If there is evidence of mouse droppings or other pests, and we would respond quickly to that to make sure the space is safe,” he added.