Virtual appointments as trust reviews hospital parking
Patients have said they have issues finding a car park space
- Published
A hospital trust in Nottinghamshire has said it is offering more virtual appointments to patients while it reviews its car parking provision.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it had been treating "growing numbers" of people being treated at King's Mill Hospital, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, over the past year.
Some patients attending appointments have complained about the lack of parking spaces, describing the situation as "dire" and "absolutely manic" at peak times.
The trust said it was "truly sorry" for people's experiences, adding it was looking at ways to encourage more use of public transport.
One patient said they were waiting more than 45 minutes for a parking space
All public car parks at the hospital are barrier-controlled to provide safe parking and charge patients a fee for their stay.
However, the barriers stopped working about six months ago, meaning people could park for free, and it was no longer controlled.
The trust said: “We have seen growing numbers of people receiving treatment at our hospitals over the past year.
"To help manage this, we have been exploring ways to make the best possible use of our car parks, including by offering the option of virtual appointments to patients who don’t need to attend their appointments in-person.
“While we know that public transport won’t be practical for everyone, [we have] worked with partners to install two new bus stops within the grounds of King’s Mill Hospital within the past year to make this a more convenient option, and [we are] also working with local providers to explore how we can encourage the use of public transport by both our staff and patients alike.”
'Absolutely manic'
Hospital users expressed their frustration with the parking situation.
King's Mill hospital is the closest for Mark Housley, 61, however, he says he does not even try the hospital car park and leaves his car at the supermarket across the road instead.
The 61-year-old said: "[At peak times] it's absolutely manic, and then later in the day it becomes a little more civilised."
Ian Randall is a blue badge holder and said parking is "dire".
He said he was unable to find a disabled parking space for his hospital appointment, ending up being 15 minutes late and having to park in a parent and child space.
Mark Ball, 60, will park down the street and walk to the hospital when he has an appointment.
He said: "It's just too busy, there's no spaces, and it's too expensive, you don't know how long you're going to be here so it could cost a fortune."
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