WHAT DO YOU THINK? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW

Dorset County Hospital serves a predominantly rural area and many patients and visitors have no option but to use their cars to travel to their appointments or to visit patients.

The letter published on Monday, April 7, clearly illustrates the additional stress and anxiety caused to patients who are trying to attend out-patient appointments when they cannot find anywhere to park on site.

It seems likely that your correspondent has also highlighted one of the causes of the £3million ‘No-Show’ bill revealed in the Echo last Thursday.

How many patients arrive at the hospital for their appointments and miss their slot because they have to spend so long searching for a parking space or find the whole experience so stressful and exasperating that they give up and go home?

The answer to your correspondent’s query about why it is easier to go to the County Court than to the County Hospital is quite simple – the hospital authorities have consistently refused invitations to sign up to the Park and Ride service subsidised by DCC and WDDC.

Dorset County Hospital accepts that there is a problem with parking for patients, visitors and staff – surely it is time for them to take some action and seek a solution?

Susie Hosford, Chair of Planning and Environment Committee, Dorchester Town Council