Posted on 13th Dec
The future potential of Newark Hospital is due to receive a major boost with the creation of up to 80 extra parking spaces for patients, visitors, and staff.
A partnership between Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newark and Sherwood District Council has seen the council buy a 1.2 hectare plot of land on Bowbridge Road, next door to Newark Hospital.
The council is expected to submit a planning application soon, which will consider whether some of the land can be converted into additional parking for the site.
There are currently 170 pay and display spaces, in addition to 20 for blue badge holders, and seven for staff. It is expected that the new spaces will be used by staff, freeing up the main car park for visitors.
If approved, work could begin at the site early in 2023 to further improve patient access to the hospital.
Coun David Lloyd, council leader, said: “From speaking with local residents, I know how important Newark Hospital is to everyone, providing essential services and surgeries alongside its urgent treatment centre provision.
“The additional car parking spaces will allow more residents to access the site and future-proof it for years to come.”
The additional parking is the next step in a significant programme of work to enable the trust to offer more elective services from the hospital.
David Ainsworth, director of Strategy and Partnerships at Sherwood Forest Hospitals and who oversees the Trust’s running of Newark Hospital, said: “This is another important step in our ambitious plans to enhance the range and volume of services at Newark Hospital.
“We are incredibly grateful to the council for sharing our commitment to work with other local organisations, patients and the community to do all that we can to maximise the potential of Newark Hospital.
“We are keen for as many residents as possible to benefit from the wide range of procedures and services provided, so don’t forget to ask for Newark at the point of referral with your GP or when speaking to your hospital team.”
Top: Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council Coun David Lloyd with David Ainsworth, director of Strategy and Partnerships at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, and Iain Faulkner, matron at Newark Hospital.
