Car parking adds to hospital stress (From Bournemouth Echo)

Car parking adds to hospital stress

8:36am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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CROWDED and expensive NHS hospital car parks make visits more stressful for half of all users, according to a new report.

Stress levels were certainly rising at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Wednesday afternoon as frustrated drivers searched for parking spaces.

Many agreed with the findings of a survey by consumer watchdog Which? showing that 52 per cent of hospital visitors have problems finding somewhere to park.

Gordon and Sylvia Hodge from Ferndown said finding a parking spot was stressful.

Mr Hodge, 79, said: “Fortunately we have a disabled badge. The car park can be very busy.”

Brenda Facer, 75, from Mudeford, said: “Finding a space can be very stressful and it can also cost a lot if someone is in hospital for a long period of time. My friend has been here a month.”

It took David Waddilove from Kent 15 minutes to find a space. His relatives admitted that the search had added to their stress.

Robert Beech from Barton-on-Sea said the secret was arriving early.

“We come here once or twice a week for my wife to have chemotherapy. We always arrive half-an-hour before her appointment.”

Parking costs £1 for up to two hours, £2 for four hours and £5 for six hours.

At Poole Hospital, motorists were also searching for spaces in the multi-storey car park.

Paul Barker from Poole said: “It’s always busy but I eventually find a space. I don’t think £1.40 for two hours is too bad, when you compare it to town.”

Patricia Walsh from Portland said: “We had to park right at the top. I’ve had to queue on the road before.”

Alex Allison from Swanage said: “I came in for an operation this morning and it has cost me £7 to park.”

After forking out more than £5 on parking for two hospital visits this week, Mary Tamblin from Poole said: “It’s too dear.”

Diane Gooch from Poole shared her sentiments.

She said: “Sometimes you have to drive around for 10 minutes to find a space and that costs money.”

A Royal Bournemouth Hospital spokeswoman said visiting time would always be busy, adding: “Each day we open an overflow car park to reduce congestion. We have one of the lowest hospital car parking charges in the south.” A Poole hospital spokeswoman said: “We keep our charges in line with the borough’s car parks. If we didn’t, shoppers and holidaymaker would use the car park. Regular visitors can buy a season ticket.”