PATIENTS and visitors were being put at risk of injury by sheets of ice coating James Paget University Hospital car park, it was claimed this week. Freezing temperatures over the weekend left areas of the car park treacherous underfoot, making access to the hospital particularly difficult for people with mobility problems.

PATIENTS and visitors were being put at risk of injury by sheets of ice coating James Paget University Hospital car park, it was claimed this week.

Freezing temperatures over the weekend left areas of the car park treacherous underfoot, making access to the hospital particularly difficult for people with mobility problems.

One of those struggling with the treacherous conditions was Doreen Coppola who had an appointment at the hospital on Monday.

Hopton pensioner Mrs Coppola, 72, had a knee replacement operation last year and often has to use walking sticks.

She said: “The car park conditions were absolutely shocking. There was just a little bit of salt outside the main entrance. I am on two sticks, so was petrified that I was going to fall over and walked very slowly, but slipped as I got in the car. I spoke to a staff member who had fallen over, but no-one seemed interested in taking responsibility for doing anything about it.”

Two lanes and parking spaces nearest the hospital entrance had been cleared by Monday lunchtime, but the rest of parking area remained covered by ice and snow.

A spokesman for the hospital, an NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our paths and car parks are gritted during bad weather to remove snow and ice and help prevent accidents. We ask patients to take care and wear appropriate footwear for the weather conditions when they visit. Our staff and volunteers help patients who are susceptible to falls to return to their transport, following their medical appointments, whenever possible during adverse weather.”