New rules at the main hospitals run by University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust mean members of the public will no longer be allowed to park in staff car parks from 1 April 2022.
The Trust is implementing a new permit system at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital and Furness General Hospital from 1 April 2022 to address pressures on staff parking at the three sites.
Parking is challenging at all three hospitals, especially at the RLI, and a new parking policy is being introduced from April to prioritise access for workers who need it most.
Leanne Cooper, Interim Chief Operating Officer, said: “Parking at our sites is limited, and we would encourage everyone – staff, patients and visitors – to avoid driving to our hospitals unless it is essential.
“We recognise that parking can be difficult for patients and visitors too but it is vital that we keep allocated spaces free for our teams so they are able to be at work on time to provide services for our communities.
"To assist our teams, we would urge members of the public who need to drive to our hospital to only use the public pay-and-display car parks and avoid staff areas, which will be clearly marked.”
Under the Trust’s new staff parking system, car park attendants will record the presence of unauthorised vehicles in staff areas. Fines will be issued for unauthorised parking.
All staff, patients and visitors are encouraged where possible, to walk, cycle or use public transport to hospital sites.
In Lancaster, the Park and Ride service from Caton Road offers free parking, drop-off and pick-up outside the hospital, and low-cost return bus travel.