MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK URGENTLY NEEDED AT CARMARTHEN HOSPITAL

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES,
CAMPAIGN ORGANISER
6th Feb 16

NEWS UPDATE

At long last we have official recognition of the parking problem.
In an article in the local press this week, the Chairman of Hywel Dda Health Board, Mrs Bernardine Rees, said:

“This is a really significant problem for the Board and one which we have received complaints ..........we have to take any action we can to minimise parking problems. It makes no sense to be delivering excellent healthcare if we can’t help people get through the door on time. Missed appointments are costly to both the individual as well as the health service at large. We need to do more work to outline a bigger impact solution for our patients. We need to consider a number of options, from multi-storey car park to reviewing the clinical strategy for Glangwili Hospital. I would also like stakeholders and public, including those who instigated a petition calling on a multi-storey car park to be involved in this work.”

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES,
CAMPAIGN ORGANISER

27th Jan 16

NEWS UPDATE

A few days ago I informed you that matters have worsened considerably at Glangwili with outpatients taking the law into their own hands and parking everywhere they can; there's more to report. The police are now warning drivers that they will be booked if they continue to park along residential roads around Glangwili because they are causing obstructions and even blocking driveways. Emergency vehicles are already finding it difficult to get through. The police are now very regularly patrolling the area. In a quote from the sergeant in charge of the Neighbourhood Policing Team, "It's bedlam there.....". So, beware, drivers! I don't want you booked.
Although this is more bad news for Outpatients, I see it as excellent news for our cause. It will exert far more pressure on the Health Board. Eventually they will have to crumble and do something positive.

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES, CAMPAIGN ORGANISER 23 Jan 16

I closed down the paper petition operating in Carmarthen on 31 December- it had 3990 signatures. Fantastic response! This online petition is continuing to attract support. Currently, we have 6060 SIGNATURES in all.
I’d like to report that matters are improving at Outpatients but, I'm afraid, the position has worsened considerably. Cars are parked on the roadside along the whole length of all adjacent streets causing obstructions everywhere. Others are returning home without managing to keep their appointment.
What news from the Health Board? What have they done to alleviate this awful problem? NOTHING! What are they planning to make matters easier? NOTHING!
Where do we go from here? Well, I shall, very soon, be handing over the very heavy files of signatures to the Health Board accompanied by many sensible suggestions.
I shall keep you informed.
Thank you - one and all. Diolch i chwi oll.
Alun Lloyd Davies

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES, CAMPAIGN ORGANISER
17th December 2015

The Christmas Season is upon us once again and I would like to wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES, CAMPAIGN ORGANISER
27th Nov 2015

The Health Board has announced that they are planning to provide another forty parking spaces. What they don't tell you is that these are a very long way from the Outpatients Department - at the rear of the hospital. Although these are badly needed to access other departments or for visitors, they are of absolutely no benefit to those attending Outpatients. Increasing the Outpatients parking by 100% - which is probably all that we can hope for - is urgently needed. I've issued a press release to both the 'Western Mail' and all local newspapers. We all need to put pressure on the Health Board.

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES, CAMPAIGN ORGANISER
4th Nov 2015

We've reached two milestones this week - I've met up with the Health Board and we've passed the 5000 SIGNATURE level! Both have more in common than you think! It is from now on that we need to start putting pressure on the Health Board to provide the much larger car park that the Outpatients Department so badly needs. The response I received was not a positive one. It is obvious that their way of dealing with it is, if they do nothing, the problem will go away!

Friends, it's obvious that we have a very high mountain to climb. I've already made it clear to the Health Board that I will not give up until we have what is so badly required. I'm not only prepared to do the climbing, I'm prepared to fight hard on behalf of not only the 5000+ who have signed my petition, but also for everyone in the whole of Dyfed. But I need your help. We all need to play our part. Do please help in any way you can.

Thank you.

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES, CAMPAIGN ORGANISER
13th October 2015

The Health Board are proudly informing the press that they have increased the number of parking places for outpatients - it is a lie. They are planning a few spaces at the rear of the hospital adjacent to the laundry - a very long way from the Outpatients Department and absolutely no help to the sick, disabled and elderly who have to go there. They are also proud to inform us that they have arranged for the Park & Ride Bus to extend it's route to pass the hospital's main entrance. To use this service, one needs to drive an additional 9.5 mls to park in a field on the other side of the town and travel to the hospital by bus. We have a Health Board who has no thoughts for the elderly, the disabled and the sick that they are responsible for. Very, very sad indeed.

FROM ALUN LLOYD DAVIES, CAMPAIGN ORGANISER
29th September 2015

I have official statistics from the Health Board that an average of 700 outpatients per month - who had been sent appointments to attend clinics or to be seen by consultants at Glangwili Hospital - have missed their appointments across 2015. I believe that the majority of these have done so after travelling long distances to Glangwili only to find it impossible to park and having had to return home.

I have two petitions running parallel with one another - this online petition and a paper petition. Up to today, I have over 4200 signatures.

We need many more signatures if we are to exert adequate pressure on the Health Board to provide the much-needed multi-storey car park. I need your help please. Tell your friends, colleagues and relatives and get them to sign too!

Thank you for all your help.

GLANGWILI GENERAL HOSPITAL - the perfect place for a pleasant afternoon drive - gorgeous views. Only two draw-backs - you meet lots of angry people coming the other way and you can get bored after an hour or two!