Hospital’s drive to take care of parking

A consultation has been launched over changes to parking provision across hospitals within the Pennine Acute Trust, including Oldham.

Plans would see a parking-management company brought in to run its car parks and hand out penalty charges. Drivers have been warned that stricter parking enforcement would follow the imposition of a new scheme.

Measures include dividing parking into four areas: patients and visitors, staff only, drop off/pick up and trust vehicles, contractors and deliveries. New ways of paying include pay by phone — the driver texts a number rather than having to hunt for a meter. Parking vouchers are also being considered.

The proposals come in the light of limited space at hospital sites and “inconsiderate parking”, which is claimed to potentially cause life-threatening situations such as blocking ambulance access.

Trained wardens would patrol car parks and issue enforcement notices.

Members of the public as well as patients, visitors and staff are being asked to have their say at www.surveymonkey.com/s/patpq by January 20.