Member for Bathurst Paul Toole visited the hospital on Wednesday and said the State Government would be looking for additional car parking spaces as patients and employees were having to park on the street blocks away in order to gain access to the hospital. 

“We’re looking at opportunities to provide additional parking spaces,” he said.

“Already we are seeing with additional health services being provided, that means more doctors coming into town. It also means more patients are receiving services at the hospital. 

“Elderly people, people with a disability and people with young children are having to park many blocks away from the hospital before they get through the doors. 

“We know car parking spaces are at a premium and there is a need for additional spaces to be found.

“What we need to do is find opportunities for car parking spaces. There is a site at the back of the hospital that can, possibly, provide additional car parking spaces and I’ll be calling on the health service to look at this opportunity to be provided here in this area.”

Bathurst Health Service general manager Sue Patterson said more parking would benefit the community and the hospital’s staff. 

“To have close parking for people on crutches or who have to present to the emergency department, it’s really important to park close when you’re not well,” she said.

“The growth of services has led to more staff and more demand on services and parking.”