HEALTH chiefs are set to bring in parking specialists to tackle a shortage of spaces at Winchester hospital.

Hampshire Hospitals Trust hopes to use expert help to devise a new traffic scheme or parking layout at Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The specialists will monitor traffic and interview drivers about their parking patterns.

Donna Green, the trust’s chief nurse, said the hospital’s multi-storey car park could not be expanded as the trust was “stymied” by planning regulations.

“It’s challenging parking in the whole of the city and particularly challenging at the hospital,” she said.

“Everyone wants to park on site. It’s very distressing when you can’t park and you’re waiting for an appointment or coming for an operation.

“We want to make the whole experience of coming to hospital as easy we can.”

Plans could include separating patients’ parking by ward, she added.

The trust will approach the specialists this month and hopes to have recommendations in place by the end of the year.