SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has called on the Welsh Government to help solve problems with parking at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, who constantly raises this matter on behalf of his constituents, asked for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on parking capacity in Welsh hospitals.
Mr Rowlands recently called for urgent action to alleviate the parking problems at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and urged Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to consider a park and ride system, which is being re-considered for Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan.
He said: “I’ve had frequent contact from residents in Wrexham about parking issues at Maelor Hospital, because of course people rightly expect adequate parking spaces when they’re visiting loved ones in hospital.
“The car park is often overflowing, causing distress, yes, for those visitors, but also for out-patients when they are attending appointments, and indeed for staff also. It’s causing issues on the surrounding streets around the hospital.
“There’s clearly a problem there with the capacity for visitors, out-patients and staff alike. I’ve written to the health board on this, and I’m sure there are similar issues across Wales, and indeed across North Wales as well.
“So, I’d appreciate, Trefnydd, an update on what action the Welsh Government is taking to support health boards in Wales to ensure there is enough capacity at car parks at hospitals, so people don’t have to go through the distress of trying to find a parking space when attending a hospital visit.”
Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip said Mr Rowlands had taken the right action by writing the health board about the issues and concerns.
Mr Rowlands added: “I will continue to highlight these problems, particularly at the Wrexham Maelor site and I am disappointed that the health board continue to drag their feet to find solutions. And they do not seem to get any help or support from the Welsh Labour Government.
“The Welsh Government and health board need to get their heads together and sort the problem out for the benefit of everyone who needs to use the hospital.”
