PATIENTS with mobility problems endured miserable visits to Poole Hospital thanks to a broken lift.

The lift in the multi-storey car park, adjacent to the main hospital building, broke down on Monday.

A mother bringing her son to hospital for treatment in a wheelchair found herself having to push him up the car ramps to get him to his appointment.

She said she had found the experience “very distressing”.

A Poole Hospital spokeswoman said engineers had been called as soon as they were aware of the breakdown, but a part needed to be ordered for the repair.

It took two days to arrive and the lifts were functional again by Wednesday lunchtime.

A Poole Hospital spokeswoman said: “During the time that the lifts were out of action, posters were put up on every floor of the car park asking visitors to contact the car park office if they needed any help getting to the main hospital building.

“Our car park staff worked hard to make sure that any visitors who asked for help were given assistance.”