PARKING at the Royal Bolton Hospital can be a big problem for many users.

Those of us who have waited desperately for a space to become available will welcome the fact that this issue is being considered at a regional conference in Manchester.

Bolton's problems are replicated elsewhere as cars clog up the roads to hospitals every day.

Mr Nigel Palmer, Clinical Support Manager at the Royal Bolton, is one of those seeking answers at the conference in Manchester Town Hall.

We agree with him when he tells us: "Instead of looking at ways to build more car parks, we need to reduce the amount of cars coming to the hospital in the first place."

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.

People who are frail, distressed and vulnerable are understandably unwilling to tackle the uncertainties of public transport.

The introduction of cycle sheds is clearly not the answer for everybody.

Mr Palmer is hoping to encourage the use of public transport and he believes more members of staff should be involved in car share schemes.

If the hospital has not already done so, it should consider having a word with the management at Manchester Airport.

There is a clear target to ensure that a quarter of all journeys to and from the airport are by public transport by 2015.

Last year, during "Green Transport Month," the airport joined forces with the NHS, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Passenger Gransport Executive and bus and rail companies to persuade more of the site's 19,000 employees to opt for greener ways of getting around.

Events included a "Let's Get to work on the Bus Day" in which several local bus companies offered free travel to the airport.

There were also Car Share Day events, a Festival of Cycling and free train travel.

Airport bosses report that fewer employees use cars these days and say there has been an increase in those taking advantage of public transport and cycling.

No doubt there are lessons here for hospital "communities" throughout the region, but initiatives like this will not work if the public transport infrastructure is not up to scratch.