Busy hospital car parks make patients late for appointments

A health board is asking its patients to consider using public transport or have a family member drop them off due to busy car parks.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is also asking those visiting loved ones at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, and Wrexham Maelor Hospital to consider visiting at quieter times.

Parking at all NHS hospitals in Wales has been free since 2018, which could be one of the reasons for the overcrowding.

But Chris Evans, a councillor in Denbighshire, said: "It is fundamentally wrong to expect ill, vulnerable, or upset people to walk to the hospital."

One patient said they were 25 minutes late to an appointment at Ysbyty Gwynedd earlier this month, despite arriving 20 minutes early, because of parking.

He said: "Dozens of people were just driving around in circles, searching for a car parking space.

"I was late in the end.

"I had to park a considerable way outside of the hospital as there were double yellow lines on the nearest adjacent roads."

Mr Evans, who represents Tremeirchion, said he had been receiving medical treatment at Walton Centre in Liverpool.

He praised NHS staff at the hospital after they called ahead and advised him to leave an hour early, as the roads were busy due to Liverpool FC playing at Anfield.

Mr Evans questioned whether the north Wales health board could operate this system.

"In Glan Clwyd, we are seeing people turning up, and they can't park, so they are late for their appointments. So it has a knock-on effect for the patients and also the staff," he said.

"I have a relative with bladder cancer. He parks by the marble church and walks down because he can't find a parking space."

Brian Jones, a councillor who represents Rhyl, said he had constituents receiving excellent treatment, but claimed the parking at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd was "a nightmare".

"Glan Clwyd does have a serious car parking problem. That goes without saying, and that is accepted by all parties concerned," Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones said although there is no on-site solution now, a park and ride car park from different locations across the county could be an option.

Wrexham Maelor Hospital's car park has been expanded, but Coedpoeth councillor Krista Childs said it is still tricky to park there at times and people complain about it.

"Some people suggest that some people park there and work elsewhere, but I don't have any proof of that."

Stuart Keen from the health board advised hospital visitors to consider alternative options for parking.

He suggested arriving early, using public transport, or having someone drop off and pick up patients.

For those visiting relatives, he said evening visits may help avoid peak congestion.

Mr Keen also encouraged accepting evening or weekend appointments when possible.

The health board said it was working on solutions to alleviate pressure on parking.