The expanded and enhanced parking facilities at Victoria Hospital in Wimborne were unveiled in a ceremony attended by community representatives.
Funded entirely by the Friends of Victoria Hospital, the £3 million project adds 45 new spaces, improves vehicle access, and includes larger parking bays.
The upgrade is designed to support the hospital as it grows and takes on additional services.
Victoria Hospital in Wimborne unveiled an expanded car park. (Image: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust)
Anne Salter, chair of the Friends of Victoria Hospital, said: “This car park will make a huge difference to the local community here in Wimborne.
“As more services are brought into the hospital, it will ease the pressure on patients, staff and visitors.”
The project was made possible by the purchase of adjacent land previously occupied by Wimborne Town Football Club.
The development also includes environmentally sustainable features such as electric vehicle charging points for staff, wildlife-sensitive lighting, new tree and shrub planting, and an expanded, secure cycle shelter.
These measures align with Dorset HealthCare’s Green Plan and the NHS’s broader net zero targets.
Representatives from Dorset HealthCare, the Friends of Victoria Hospital, and the local community – including town Mayor Councillor Jeff Hart – gathered for an official opening ceremony.
Rachel Small, chief operating officer at Dorset HealthCare, said: “Thanks to the Friends, we are meeting our commitment to improving access to our services and providing the highest quality care for people in their local communities.”
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