Calls are being made to improve parking and transport links to two of Somerset’s main hospitals following a raft of concerns.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) handed a letter to Peter Lewis, the chief executive of Somerset NHS Trust, which has been signed by more than 2,000 locals and staff members, who want changes at Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil Hospital.

RCN members have reported issues including staff feeling unsafe, unreasonable penalties, damage to cars in staff parking areas, lack of public transport at shift change times, lack of spaces for permit holders, lack of transparency to the permit system, affordability of permits, lack of CCTV in trust car parks, poor maintenance of trust car parks, lack of lighting in trust car parks, thefts of bicycles, no secure place to store bicycles and poor reporting systems. 

RCN members are asking the trust to set up a working group with staff representation to look into the problems and work with local partners to improve access for staff and patients.  

Lucy Muchina, Regional Director, RCN South West said: “Our members have raised significant concerns about their ability to get to and from work safely, affordably and in a timely manner.  

“We are asking the trust to hear these concerns and work with their staff to find ways to improve the situation. 

 “I hope that the trust will see that this is a matter concerning many of their staff and that it’s of mutual benefit to work with them to identify solutions.”