Parking spaces at University Hospital Llandough have become increasingly difficult to come by over recent weeks.

Nub News has received a number of reports from patients and staff expressing their frustration and concern.

Some complain that finding a parking space can take over half an hour, while others have taken to parking on nearby streets.

"You struggle to get parking after 8am," a nurse said.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CVUHB), who manage the hospital, have themselves admitted to an "increase in demand on parking".

Some days are much worse than others. Nub News counted a total of fifty free spaces at noon yesterday.

But it is clear that Llandough's parking situation has deteriorated. Why?

Easing of COVID-19 restrictions

According to CVUHB, parking spaces are at a premium due to a recent spike in hospital admissions.

Speaking to Nub News, a spokesperson said: "Access to our services has increased as the prevalence of COVID-19 in our hospitals has reduced and restrictions eased, naturally leading to an increase in demand on parking."

Indeed, statistics from the Welsh Government show that hospitalisations across Cardiff and the Vale are rising.

The first 29 days of June 2021 saw 41,009 hospital admissions in the region. This is higher than in May (39,746), April (39,158), March (38,615), February (37,231 after 28 days) and January (38,243).

It is also significantly higher than June 2020, when just 33,317 patients were hospitalised.

These figures are in line with nationwide statistics. A record-breaking 600,000 people in Wales are currently awaiting hospital treatment.

However, these broad trends in demand fail to paint the full picture in Llandough.

The arrival of Rookwood Rehab Centre

Some members of staff blame the arrival of new services at Llandough without a corresponding increase in additional parking spaces.

Earlier this month, a new £30.8 million neuro and spinal rehabilitation unit was opened at the hospital. It has begun to treat patients previously cared for at Rookwood Hospital in Llandaff, which was in 2019 deemed unfit for purpose.

Rookwood patients and staff are currently being transferred to Llandough in a phased manner.

Nub News understands that no parking spaces have been added despite the increased demand.

"There seems to be no parking from 8:30am onwards," Dr Jessica Flint told Nub News.

"It seems silly to have opened a whole new wing of the hospital without accommodating any extra parking. I now have to arrive into work a lot earlier or get very stressed about being late.

"Last week I helped an elderly patient who had recently missed his appointment because he was driving around trying to find somewhere to park."

CVUHB declined to comment on whether the establishment of the Rookwood unit has contributed to parking issues.

Cameras turned off

Since the start of the pandemic, the bulk of parking restrictions at Llandough Hospital have been lifted.

Patients and staff have been allowed to park in any available spaces "besides disabled spaces, double yellow/red lines zones and hatched areas".

While this provides greater flexibility, Nub News understands it also means staff frequently overflow into patient spaces and vice versa.

One patient we spoke to, named Bobby Kenny, complained that there has been a lack of communication from the hospital regarding where he is authorised to park.

Mr Kenny voiced concerns that he will not be informed when parking restrictions are reimposed and receive a fine as a result.

These issues are likely exacerbated by far fewer people taking public transport due to COVID-19 and the fact that the park and ride service from Sports Village is not due to resume until autumn.

This lack of alternative transport options presumably places a greater strain on the car park's capacity.

A perfect storm?

A number of contributing factors explain the deteriorating parking situation at Llandough Hospital.

Nub News understands CVUHB are currently taking no active steps to alleviate the problem.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council is currently contemplating the introduction of resident-only parking restrictions in neighbouring streets to avoid overflow.

Here is CVUHB's statement in full.

"During the pandemic, the parking management arrangements at University Hospital Llandough have been lifted, allowing staff and visitors to park in any available spaces. Enforcement remains in place for disabled spaces, double yellow/red lines zones and hatched areas.

"Access to our services has increased as the prevalence of COVID-19 in our hospitals has reduced and restrictions eased, naturally leading to an increase in demand on parking. No decision has been made in relation to the reintroduction of parking management on the site. The Health Board is monitoring the car parking situation and hopes to reintroduce the park and ride service for the Autumn."