HOSPITAL bosses are building an additional 24 parking spaces for staff members after complaints about nurses being forced into residential roads.

Worcestershire Royal Hospital has reclaimed a section of land to be used for the extra spaces.

The car park expansion started last week and tarmacking is due to begin soon, although health chiefs could not say when the work will be completed.

Some nurses at the hospital have recently complained about losing their permits and having to park in nearby streets.

But hospital bosses said they have a policy which means that day staff who work at one site or live within 1.5 miles of the hospital are not normally entitled to permits.

James Longmore, director of estates, asset management and ICT, said: "The Trust is doing all that is possible within its financial means to provide further onsite parking for staff.

"This small development of 24 spaces has been made possible with national Department of Health funding.

"In common with many NHS Trusts, parking at Worcestershire Royal represents a major challenge causing frustration for patients, visitors and staff.

"A staff car parking policy is in place to manage the number of staff parking on site and to safeguard spaces for patients and visitors."

Mr Longmore added that the Trust constantly reviews its onsite parking facilities and offers 200 free spaces at Sixways park-and-ride.

Tim Carter, head of the executive office for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "The extra spaces are for staff that meet the criteria...mainly frontline healthcare staff."

The new parking spaces will be on the hospital's south car park.