Success for campaign to end ‘dangerous’ pedestrian access at hospital

A LOCAL campaigner has praised a new proposal by NHS Property Services to improve pedestrian access to Melksham Hospital, which she had branded as ‘dangerous’ a year ago.

Following a meeting between Caroline Fielding, who is registered as blind and relies on a guide dog, and representatives from  NHS Property Services, it has been proposed that a new safe place for pedestrians to cross be installed between the pavement   alongside Giffords Surgery and the entrance of the Melksham Hospital car park; and improvements be made to pedestrian access around the car park.

Caroline’s meeting with NHS Property Services was prompted by a story in the last issue of Melksham News – Caroline had expressed her disappointment about a recent review of accessibility for disabled people at the hospital that failed to acknowledge her complaint.

Speaking to Melksham News after the meeting, Caroline said, “It was great! A very productive meeting. We walked around the car park at Melksham Hospital and the two representatives from NHS Property Services, Dave Huntley and Phil Stevens, found it very useful. We discussed what would be difficult for someone with sight difficulties when accessing the hospital on foot, and went over ideas about what could be done.

“We have come up with a really good plan that will now be put forward for approval. The plans include a new clear pedestrian crossing from the pavement   alongside Giffords Surgery to a new paved area in front of the entrance to the Melksham Hospital car park; a new pathway through the car park to the disabled access entrance of the hospital; and improvements to the current painted path through the car park to make it more clear to pedestrians and drivers.”

Caroline first raised her concerns in February last year about there being no footpaths or safe areas for pedestrians to use to walk up to the hospital from Spa Road and around the car park. She had received no formal response to her complaint from NHS Property Services until last month when she received the invitation to meet in person at the hospital.

“I was shocked to hear that all the emails I sent last year had not reached Dave and Phil and that they had never heard of the complaint until Melksham News contacted NHS Property Services recently,” explained Caroline.

“However, the meeting was brilliant. They were very glad to have the advice and support. I feel so positive about the situation now – they really listened to me and took all my concerns on board. They were really willing to meet my needs and those of other disabled people.

“If only I had been put in touch with the right person in the first place. There would have been no need for so much fuss. Dave and Phil are so keen to do things right – I was not expecting to have such a friendly and receptive meeting.”

A spokesperson for NHS Property Services said, “We’d like to thank Caroline and Mike (her guide dog) for taking the time to meet with us to discuss her concerns and our plans to improve access to the main reception area which include the introduction of tactile paving, a new pedestrian path and improved signage. We agreed to keep Caroline updated on the works once the timeframe has been established.”