Car park paves way for new wing

Western Trust boss Elaine Way says the completion of a new multi-storey car park at Altnagelvin means work on a major upgrade of accommodation for services currently located in the 50 year old Tower Block can now get underway.
L-R Teresa Molloy, Director of Performance and Service Improvement, Gerard Guckian, Chairman, Alan Moore, Director of Strategic Capital Development, Wendy McLaughlin, Project Lead and William Clarke, McLaughlin and Harvey LtdL-R Teresa Molloy, Director of Performance and Service Improvement, Gerard Guckian, Chairman, Alan Moore, Director of Strategic Capital Development, Wendy McLaughlin, Project Lead and William Clarke, McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd
L-R Teresa Molloy, Director of Performance and Service Improvement, Gerard Guckian, Chairman, Alan Moore, Director of Strategic Capital Development, Wendy McLaughlin, Project Lead and William Clarke, McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd

She said: “The Western Trust is delighted that the new multi storey car park is now open.

“It will bring real benefits to Altnagelvin Hospital and our patients, not only in terms of improving visitor parking on site, but also because it enables work to commence in the coming months on a major upgrade of accommodation for all of the services currently located in the 50 year old Tower Block.

“A particular effort has been made to deliver a phased approach to the project to ensure safe continuation of services on the hospital site at all times.”

She added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the patients, visitors and staff who have been so tolerant during this construction time.”

The new car park, which opened on Monday, provides car parking spaces for patients, visitors and staff and is conveniently located close to the hospital’s main front entrance and the outpatients department.

It’s part of the Western Trust’s North Wing development plans for the Hospital, which will deliver six new inpatient ward areas.

The site for the new North Wing is currently a car park located close to the Tower Block of the Hospital.

The new multi storey facility will replace parking spaces lost due to the North Wing development.

All car parking spaces in the new multi storey are charged for at the current on site rate of 70p per hour.

Regional guidelines provide for certain patients, and in some case their next of kin, to be exempt from car park charges and they will continue to receive free parking.

The Western Trust also offers concessionary parking rates in situations where the duration and or the frequency of visits could lead to significant charges.

Free car parking will be available to anyone who meets these eligibility criteria.

Details on whether you are eligible and how to claim back the charges can be found on the Trust’s website www.westerntrust.hscni.net or by contacting the main hospital reception on (028) 7134 5171.

The planned new 144-bed North Wing building at Altnagelvin Area Hospital is expected to cost in the region of £73m.

The new building will incorporate six in-patient ward areas and a new main entrance to the hospital.

The build will allow for the relocation of 144 patient beds from the existing tower block at Altnagelvin.

The work required the demolition of the existing carpark.