NHS car park crisis (From Bury Times)

NHS car park crisis

6:20am Saturday 13th March 2010

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HEALTH chiefs want to build a second car park at Prestwich Hospital in a bid to stop “road chaos”.

Since 2008, there have been six reported “near misses” on the car park, while hospital bosses have issued warnings to staff about vehicles blocking fire escapes and emergency vehicle access. Details of the safety “lapses” concerning the hospital, situated off Bury New Road, have emerged in a health authority report.

Managers of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, have applied to Bury Council for permission to build a 69-place car park.

In the application report, it says: “During the working day, there are insufficient spaces to meet demand. Vehicles block footpaths, forcing pedestrians to use the road.

“This poses a danger, particularly when pedestrians are walking on the road near a blind corner.

“The risk is significantly compounded where patients are deaf and on unescorted ground leave and where patients are being pushed in wheelchairs by staff.”

It adds: “As a matter of routine, vehicles are parking in locations that present a significant risk to safety of staff, patients and visitors.

“Vehicles park covering fire hydrants, blocking emergency vehicle access routes, ward and building evacuation doors, in disabled parking bays and across disabled ramps.”

The report adds that a number of initiatives had been introduced to minimise the number of vehicles dangerously parked.

“Unfortunately, the impact of these approaches on parking has been ineffective.”

The trust’s estates and facilities director Joe Peers said: “There have been six recorded incidents on the Prestwich site over the past two years, which were felt to have been contributed by parking restrictions.

“The application for additional parking spaces will address a long standing shortage of available parking for visitors and staff, alleviate traffic congestion on site, improve safety and make roads more accessible.”

Cllr Vic D’Albert, who represents Holyrood ward, said: “The report makes it sound like a scene of chaos. Staff who work in a profession which involves keeping people healthy should know better.”

The council will decide on the application by April 29.

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