Islanders have lashed out at health chiefs for 'short changing’ Sheppey over the issue of inadequate parking at the Island’s community hospital.

The Times Guardian reported how June Bunce, of Manor Close, Rushenden, was shocked to find a note on her grandson’s windscreen telling them not to park on the grass after he had done so because there were no spaces.

The Eastern and Coastal Kent NHS, which runs Sheppey Community Hospital in Plover Road, Minster, said it is looking to create a further 10 spaces by the end of July.

However, residents say this is not enough.

Neville Crane, of Wards Hill Road, Minster, said: “Mrs Bunce (and others) are quite right. Car parking at Sheppey Community Hospital is hopelessly inadequate, and shows how Islanders have been short changed yet again.

“The new hospital was financed by selling the old site as prime housing land. Every penny of the sale proceeds should be re-invested in the new hospital’s capital projects before the excuse of 'no cash’ is blamed for inadequacies of any kind.

“Gaining just 10 spaces by repainting a few car park lines, presumably making existing spaces smaller or reducing the size or number of disabled spaces, is not what is needed.

“A low-cost enlargement could be achieved by removing a few kerbstones and rolling highway shavings on to some grass areas, which the authority described as 'redundant’ shortly after the new hospital had opened!

“No further enlargements to clinics etc should be entertained until much needed parking has been put in place. Watch out though – I guess any parking improvements will result in charging being put in place, short changing Islanders yet again!”

Peter Mullett said that at 9am on Friday the car park was full to capacity.

He also suggested installing drop kerbs around the grass banks to enable overspill parking.

He said: “Although it would spoil the appearance of the new building it would at least save the chance of damaged suspension and elevated blood pressure.”