Assurances over hospital parking

Patients and visitors to the hospital already find parking a difficult prospect and there are fears that if the health centre is located at the Lagan Valley site, the parking problems will escalate.

However, the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has given assurances that parking arrangements at the hospital will be altered to accommodate any new influx of traffic.

A spokesperson for the Trust explained: “The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust has developed plans for a Primary and Community Care Centre in Lisburn and recently completed an outline business case.

“This new centre will replace the existing Lisburn Health Centre which is no longer fit for purpose, and currently has no dedicated public car parking. The public currently rely on the adjacent Department of Regional Development pay and display car park.

“The preferred option for the facility is to provide a new purpose built Primary and Community Care Centre on the Lagan Valley Hospital site.

“The benefits will provide good accessibility and clinical integration with local hospital services and help to ensure the future sustainability of the Lagan Valley Hospital as a health sector hub for the Lisburn population.

“As part of the plans for the new centre, the Trust has developed a car parking strategy for the Lagan Valley Hospital site which will include the provision of a new multi-storey car park to support the additional car parking requirement.

“The Trust will continue to work in partnership with the Roads Service in relation to road traffic and car parking plans.”