STRESSED staff at a Suffolk hospital could be at risk of accidents as they search for parking spaces, it has been claimed.

Parking problems at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds have become so severe, there are no staff spaces available after 9am.

Jan Bloomfield, executive director of workforce and communications at the trust, warned accidents could occur as the situation worsens.

“Irrespective of tighter control of designated parking for staff, the situation continues with no spaces available on site after 9am,” she writes in this week’s staff newsletter.

“This results in staff being stressed as they search for a parking space and cars being parked illegally.

“All of which greatly increases the chances of vehicles being damaged or traffic accidents occuring.”

Despite banning staff who live within a mile of the hospital parking on site and providing free parking at Bury Rugby Club, car parks at the trust continue to be packed.

A staff survey has now been launched to tackle the issue before the critical winter months arrive.

Ideas such as developing better public transport routes and ‘car free day’ have been suggested to improve the situation.

A spokeswoman for the trust said: “We want as many of our staff as possible to give us their views on these options before any further decisions are made, and as such are asking them to fill in a short survey.

“The results will be used to help shape the measures we introduce in the future to ensure that everyone who needs to can continue to access the hospital site.”