COMMUNITY leaders have revealed car parking at healthcare centres could be improved in a bid to cope with rising patient numbers.

At Test Valley Borough Council's (TVBC) Overview and Scrutiny Committee, councillors agreed to pass a motion that could see more parking spaces created at new health centres, as part of the emerging Local Plan.

In a report about health provision in Andover and Romsey, it was unveiled healthcare facilities are "feeling the burden of a growing population", with the number of people aged over 65 predicted to jump from 29.1 per cent in 2020 to 31 per cent by 2026.

One community leader said they would like to see "the space for each car" examined as part of the review, claiming it can be "difficult for some patients" to get in and out of cars when visiting GPs or hospitals.

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However, another councillor weighed in and said the committee must consider if parking needs to be improved, believing a rise in "online consultations" could be the reason why "fewer and fewer people" are going to surgeries.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Alan Warnes said: "I am pleased to see the issue about parking on the main agenda and I think this is going to be a moving beast really.

"One of the main things I would like to see is the actual space for these cars, as it's very difficult for some patients to get in and out of these spaces and that needs to be part of the review."

Hampshire Chronicle: Cllr Alan Warnes Cllr Alan Warnes

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Conservative Councillor Alison Finlay said: "I think we have to consider what we suggested previously, that we look at this and other aspects of the situation every six months, because we have got a changing position now.

"A lot of doctors consultations are online, by text or by video and there are fewer and fewer people going to the surgery then there were six months ago, so the need for parking may actually not be as great as is envisaged.

"I am finding it increasingly difficult to get face to a face appointment for my husband and every consultation is by other means, therefore attendance at the surgery is becoming less of a need."

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting was held on Wednesday, July 22.