New traffic arrangements within St Luke's Hospital

The traffic and parking system within the grounds of St Luke's Hospital will be changed from April.

The hospital said yesterday the changes were intended to limit the flow of traffic within its precincts so as to improve safety of pedestrians - whether patients, visitors or staff - and to reduce noise.

The hospital management is recommending that, when possible, patients are to be dropped off in front of the Out Patients Department or in front of the main door of the hospital.

The driver may then opt to use a short-term car park within the hospital, against payment, or leave the hospital.

For those patients with impaired or limited mobility who need to attend Karin Grech Hospital or the X-Ray Department, access to the perimeter road is to be obtained from the officer at the gate-house. However, these vehicles are not authorised to park within the hospital grounds and should exit once the patient is dropped off.

The parking area for the public, with a capacity of 44 vehicles, will be in front of the Out Patients Department. Tariffs will be announced soon.

There will be double the number of parking spaces made available in the same area for persons with a disability. They will remain free of charge, the hospital said.