New car park improves patients’ access to Newark Hospital
Posted Friday, May 24, 2024 12:43 PM
A new 80-space car park has opened at Newark Hospital, bringing immediate benefits to patients, visitors and staff.
The dedicated staff car park has freed up much-needed spaces in the hospital’s main car park for patients and visitors.
The car park was made possible thanks to a partnership between Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Newark Hospital, and Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The District Council purchased the land between the hospital and the Co-Op on Bowbridge Road and converted it into additional hospital car parking in its bid to ensure residents have access to even more healthcare provision locally.
David Selwyn, Acting Chief Executive at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, said: “We understand that parking has been increasingly difficult in recent months, and we are grateful to everyone for their patience and understanding.
“It’s fantastic to see these long-awaited extra spaces have immediately helped to alleviate parking issues on and around the site and improve the experience of our patients, visitors and colleagues.
“Additional parking is key to the work we are doing to further increase the range of services available at Newark Hospital. I hope that it will result in more people deciding to ‘Ask for Newark’ and choosing to have their treatment or procedure here.
“We are hugely grateful to our colleagues at Newark and Sherwood District Council for making this happen and I would also like to share my thanks with all our teams, especially our Estates and Facilities teams, and our security team who have supported motorists to park safely during a difficult time.”
Councillor Susan Crosby, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “It is excellent news that the expansion of the car park at Newark Hospital is complete and is open for use! It is also great to hear that the new car park is already helping the issues with parking for hospital staff, patients and visitors. I am thrilled that the District Council have been able to support and facilitate this expansion.
“I am committed to continue working closely with the Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust to work together to ensure that residents in our district receive the best possible health care provision without needing to travel outside of the district to do so.”
The car park is the latest in a host of improvements as part of the Trust’s ongoing plans to maximise the potential of Newark Hospital and ensure it is a valued and vibrant community asset. Millions of pounds have been invested in the site by the Trust since 2020.
Last month the Medical Day Case Unit moved to its new home in a dedicated space on Fernwood Unit providing a better experience for patients, and in the past few months a programme of painting and general housekeeping has taken place, which has further improved the look and feel of the hospital.
This follows the opening of a new state-of-the-art operating theatre, known as the Newark Elective Hub, last October. It aims to provide up to 2,600 extra operations and procedures each year.
The hospital’s main car park has 170 pay and display spaces plus 20 spaces for blue badge holders. Patients and visitors are reminded to bring cash to pay for parking.
