Two new multi-storey car parks housing spaces for nearly 1,000 cars have officially opened at the Trust.
The facilities are based at Sandwell Hospital in West Bromwich and City Hospital in Birmingham, and will mean better parking for patients, visitors and staff.
The eco-friendly car parks also boast a total of 40 electric charging points installed across both sites, and solar panels.
Richard Beeken, Chief Executive at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs the two sites, said: “We’re delighted to be opening these two multi-storey car parks which will significantly improve the quality of access for those coming to our sites.
“Attending hospital can be a stressful experience and it can be frustrating being unable to find a parking space. These facilities aim to take away that stress for our patients and visitors.
“It will also mean staff are able to park with ease when they arrive at work.”
The Sandwell site has undergone significant changes over the past year, with the opening of Lyndon Primary Care Centre, a £6 million development.
The new four-storey car park was constructed to meet the parking demands of the site and will be for staff only, leaving priority parking for patients and visitors in the main, outpatients and Little Lane car parks.
Meanwhile City Hospital is due to be redeveloped over the coming years to incorporate new housing and commercial space and will continue to provide health services at the Birmingham Treatment Centre, the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre and the Sheldon Block. The six-storey car park will ensure parking for those visiting the site as well as staff.
Car park operator Q-Park will run the facilities. Estates development partner Prime progressed the plans for the new car parks, whilst law firm Capsticks advised on financing the buildings.
Adam Bidder, Managing Director of Q-Park UK, said: “We are delighted to open two new parking facilities for the Trust. The provision of quality parking facilities is vitally important for the smooth operation of the healthcare system. We look forward to a long partnership with the NHS Trust.”
Ewan Forsyth, Development Director at Prime said “We are very proud to have delivered two new car parks with building work on both facilities completing on the same day. The logistical and practical challenges of constructing the two builds in tandem have required close working between all parties involved. The result of this team effort is a hugely improved parking experience for staff, patients, visitors and future potential released for both Sandwell Hospital and City Hospital, who can now make better use of the space they have on site.”
ENDS
Caption: (L-r) Ross Badham, Q-Park Business Manager, with SWB NHS Trust Chief Executive Richard Beeken.
Notes for editors:
About Q-Park
Q-Park is one of the three leading providers of parking facilities in West Europe, whether wholly-owned, leased, managed or in a hybrid business model. Q-Park is notable for its quality approach and has a portfolio comprising over 475,000 parking spaces in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, France, Ireland and Denmark. For more information, please see www.q-park.co.uk
About Prime
Prime plc enables health and care providers to make the most of their spaces so everyone can experience better care. The company unlocks complex estate management challenges with leading industry-specific legal, financial and property planning solutions, and work with partners to see the projects through masterplanning to delivery. For more information, please see www.primeplc.com
About Capsticks
Capsticks is independently rated by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK as the leading healthcare, housing and regulatory law firm in the UK, working for over 250 healthcare clients, over 220 social housing clients and key regulatory clients nationally.
Henry Matveieff, real estate partner at Capsticks, said: “We were delighted to assist on this development. The multi-storey car park solution will create surplus space and provide additional development opportunities in order to maximise healthcare provision at the two sites, allowing the Trust to keep up with higher demand for healthcare services. A higher number of secure, energy-efficient parking spaces will improve the experience of everyone visiting and living near the hospitals.”