Watchdog looks for views on car parking at busy hospital

The lack of car parking spaces at Castle Hill Hospital has long been a cause for frustration.

Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is adding 200 more spaces to the 1,600 it already has at the hospital in Cottingham, near Hull, which is a specialist heart and cancer centre for the region.

But local health watchdog LINk, which has the legal power to call for improvements in NHS services, is exploring other possible solutions, including introducing a pass system and staggering visiting times to try and reduce pressure on spaces.

The survey – being held aboard the City of Hull Environment Forum's bus on Friday next week – will also examine views about patient transport ahead of the service being retendered next year. Hull LINk team leader Jonathan Appleton said: "We are investigating hospital transport and car parking as this is a massive area of concern for local people. Nearly 200 people have given us their views so far and many people have expressed their frustration about car parking at Castle Hill Hospital.

"We're also keen to hear people's experiences of NHS patient transport services as these are currently up for review.

"It is particularly inconvenient and upsetting for people who are in there for long-term treatment day in and out and faced with the costs and driving around looking for somewhere to park. Should they be looking at a system of passes?"

The bus will be parked in Queen Victoria Square on Friday next week from 10am to 2pm.

People can also complete a short survey by calling Hull LINk on 01482 221372 option 2, emailing [email protected] or completing a survey online at www.hull-link.org.uk