This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/7744737.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Free parking controls at hospital Free parking controls at hospital
(about 5 hours later)
A new barrier parking system is being introduced at a Swansea hospital in a bid to stop people who are not using the hospital from parking there.A new barrier parking system is being introduced at a Swansea hospital in a bid to stop people who are not using the hospital from parking there.
Parking charges were scrapped at Singleton hospital in April in line with a new assembly government policy.Parking charges were scrapped at Singleton hospital in April in line with a new assembly government policy.
But managers say some patients have missed appointments due to being unable to find space in the car park because of non hospital users parking there.But managers say some patients have missed appointments due to being unable to find space in the car park because of non hospital users parking there.
Patients will now have to get a free token from staff to exit the car park.Patients will now have to get a free token from staff to exit the car park.
Visitors to patients on the wards and others on official hospital business will be able to obtain a token from car parking attendants.Visitors to patients on the wards and others on official hospital business will be able to obtain a token from car parking attendants.
People parking without a genuine reason will have to pay a £40 fine to exit from the car park.People parking without a genuine reason will have to pay a £40 fine to exit from the car park.
The hospital said there was a shortfall of up to 250 spaces at the busiest times.The hospital said there was a shortfall of up to 250 spaces at the busiest times.
Joanne Jones, operational services manager said: "It's an important new system because we don't want to continue with a situation that means patients are left without a space, and with the added stress of missing or being late for their appointments. Joanne Jones, operational services manager, said: "It's an important new system because we don't want to continue with a situation that means patients are left without a space, and with the added stress of missing or being late for their appointments.
Departments issuing tokens Main outpatients clinicAnte-natal clinicPaediatric outpatientsRadiologyPathologyGynaecologyRehabilitationMinor injuries unitDepartments issuing tokens Main outpatients clinicAnte-natal clinicPaediatric outpatientsRadiologyPathologyGynaecologyRehabilitationMinor injuries unit
"While we've stepped up enforcement against illegitimate users of the car park, we still have many people using the site when they don't need to. This is a situation that is unacceptable as it takes spaces from genuine users."While we've stepped up enforcement against illegitimate users of the car park, we still have many people using the site when they don't need to. This is a situation that is unacceptable as it takes spaces from genuine users.
"Every car leaving the car park will need a token to open the barrier. Patients will get these when they arrive at their clinic."Every car leaving the car park will need a token to open the barrier. Patients will get these when they arrive at their clinic.
"Similarly, visitors will need to get a token from a member of our car parking staff and we may ask for evidence that they have had a genuine reason for being at the hospital."Similarly, visitors will need to get a token from a member of our car parking staff and we may ask for evidence that they have had a genuine reason for being at the hospital.
"Of course, we want to work closely with the public and make it easy for them to visit Singleton."Of course, we want to work closely with the public and make it easy for them to visit Singleton.
"We have access to internal systems so we can check as much as possible that the person is genuine, and we hope that visitors will understand that we are trying to ensure that parking is available for legitimate users.""We have access to internal systems so we can check as much as possible that the person is genuine, and we hope that visitors will understand that we are trying to ensure that parking is available for legitimate users."
In April, the hospital threatened to clamp drivers who either parked illegally on double yellow lines or did not have business at the hospital.In April, the hospital threatened to clamp drivers who either parked illegally on double yellow lines or did not have business at the hospital.
Staff have their own car park, but will also be allowed to use the visitors' car park at the weekends under the plans.Staff have their own car park, but will also be allowed to use the visitors' car park at the weekends under the plans.
But some workers who live close to the hospital and are judged to be able to get to work using alternative methods of transport will no longer be granted permits to park on site, as a method of reducing congestion, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust said.But some workers who live close to the hospital and are judged to be able to get to work using alternative methods of transport will no longer be granted permits to park on site, as a method of reducing congestion, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust said.
The Welsh Assembly Government scrapped car parking charges at 120 NHS-owned car parks earlier this year.The Welsh Assembly Government scrapped car parking charges at 120 NHS-owned car parks earlier this year.
A number of hospitals with privately-run car parks will phase charges out as their contracts with the supplier come to an end over the coming years.A number of hospitals with privately-run car parks will phase charges out as their contracts with the supplier come to an end over the coming years.