Hospitals reported nearly 20,000 cases of pest infestations in NHS hospitals over the past two years, The Times of London said Wednesday.

The newspaper said maggots were found in patients' slippers, there were cockroaches in a urology unit and rats in a maternity ward.

"Labor have said over and over again that they will improve cleanliness in our hospitals but these figures clearly show that they are failing," Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said. "It is difficult for health service estates to maintain a completely pest free environment but the level and variety of these infestations is concerning."