According to resident Jim Magnee, the parking situation is "out of control" with many locals having to park several hundred metres away from their homes because of the congestion.

"I have been here for eight, almost nine, years and it has only been since the new medical centre opened that we have had a problem," he said.

Mr Magnee said often the streets are fully parked but the centre's car park is empty, leaving him to believe staff have been told to park off-premises.

"We are happy with the development and we understand they need to park their cars, but I am adamant a ruling has been made to stop them from using their own car park," he said.

Mr Magnee has an elderly father-in-law who suffers from Alzheimer's and finds it difficult to walk the extra 250 metres to the house when he is forced to park so far away.

"We have been to the medical centre and we spoke with the boss but we just got told 'it's a public road and we can park wherever we want'," he said.

Megan Alston, clinical integration co-ordinator at the health centre, told the Examiner patients were the priority.

"When the Raymond Terrace Health Centre is fully operational in mid-August, up to 400 patients are expected to attend the facility daily. Hunter New England Health's priority is ensuring parking close to the facility is accessible for patients, many of whom are unwell, elderly and/or have mobility issues," she said.

"We understand staff members are parking in unrestricted kerbside spaces in local streets and ensuring residents have adequate access to their driveways.

"We are discussing parking strategies for staff and have also met with local residents."