Concern over parking spaces at new hospital

THE WESTERN TRUST has responded to recent complaints regarding parking at the new South West Acute Hospital, saying the site is currently catering for an unusually high number of vehicles.

Deputy Chief Executive Joe Lusby said: “With the recent opening of the new South West Acute Hospital, there is an unusually high number of vehicles on the site as staff work to complete the move.
To assist with car parking during this initial period, the Trust has provided additional car park attendants who are helping to direct traffic to available car park spaces.”

But a staff member at the new hospital spoke to the Herald regarding a number of issues affecting her and her fellow staff – as well as patients.
“Where we are situated is a 15 minute walk from the multi-storey car park that we were directed to,” she said.

“At the Erne we would always go downtown for lunch, but we can’t now as there’s no guarantee of getting a parking space. At the Erne, there’d be a high number of people in town and now that’s not happening – and I’m sure local businesses are taking the hit.”