Hospital parking misery for Leicester patients set to end

They are considering plans for a multi-storey car park at Leicester Royal Infirmary, moving out-patient clinics so fewer patients have to travel into the city centre and later hospital bus services.

Two pubs owned by the NHS The Victory and The Pride of Leicester, both in Aylestone Road will be demolished under the plans.

Watchdogs today claimed victory after years of campaigning on behalf of the patients, who face daily queues of up to an hour trying to get into Leicester Royal Infirmary's car park.

The plans were revealed following a meeting between hospital bosses, city council officials and Zuffar Haq, co-chairman of health watchdog Leicester City Local Involvement Network.

At the meeting, Mr Haq who is also a member of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel secured a commitment for parking improvements at the infirmary.

He said: "I am absolutely delighted. The hospitals trust and council have been very receptive about the needs of patients and staff.

"They haven't closed any door on any option and understand it will take a series of measures to deal with this problem, which has gone on for years."

A feasibility study into a multi-storey car park is to begin at once.

If it proves affordable, work could begin in 2011 and be completed in 2012.

Next month, the trust's Hopper bus service is being extended to run until 9.30pm each weekday.

Managers also plan to transfer some out-patient clinics from the infirmary to Glenfield and Leicester General hospitals, to help ease the pressure on parking spaces. Trust and city council officials are also looking at ways bus services could be altered to tie in with hospital routes, or those served by the Hopper.

The measures are on top of the 290 extra staff spaces being created in the next few months.

There are moves to find other land for parking.

Rob Pinsent, director of facilities at Leicester's hospitals, said: "We were really pleased with our meeting to discuss car parking solutions.

"It is a difficult subject but the meeting was very constructive, with several very sensible suggestions coming from it, which we are eager to investigate further.

"We are already carrying out feasibility studies to see if our long-term proposals for additional on-site parking at the infirmary and Glenfield Hospital are possible.

"There were many other helpful suggestions made.

"These include linking with any vacant land near the infirmary, possible bus links and development of park-and-ride services."