Murdo Fraser MSP has raised the “shocking” issue of parking problems facing patients who have medical appointments at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, with NHS Tayside.
The Scottish Conservative politician has written to the health body following a series of complaints from constituents, including one woman who had to spend an hour trying to find a parking space at the hospital prior to an appointment. He also slammed the “ludicrous” journey planner suggestion given to this constituent, who wishes to remain anonymous, ahead of another appointment, which would have taken her on an all- round trip lasting five hours.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “Irate constituents have pointed out that the NHS website discourages patients and visitors from using cars, promoting bus travel instead. However, due to bus service cuts there are no buses running from their home to Perth, nor from Perth to Ninewells. Travelling by car is therefore a necessity.
“One of my constituents described arriving at Ninewells one and a half hours early for an appointment scheduled for 10am, then having to spend an hour driving around trying to find parking and, at 9.30am, still having not found a parking space, called the department to warn them they would arrive late. Twice, the phone was left to go to answer machine, so she left messages. At 10.20am, in frustration and desperation, my constituent abandoned her car in the hospital grounds, half on the road and half on the verge, accepting the likelihood of being issued a ticket.
“At 10.25am, the constituent attended her appointment where staff were sympathetic and described seeing patients experiencing parking difficulties every day. She then complained to NHS Tayside and received a response stating there are plenty of spaces, that it is a bonus that these are free and that the NHS encourages patients and visitors to use public transport. The constituents feel this implies that NHS Tayside is content to allow the parking issues to continue, which is frankly quite shocking.
“She was then given a journey planner for her follow-up appointment, which would have meant getting a bus from Pitcairngreen to Perth, walking half a mile to Perth Rail Station, then waiting 30 minutes for a train to Invergowrie, where she would have to walk just under two miles to Ninewells. This is just ludicrous. It is a ridiculous idea expecting residents living in rural areas with health conditions to put themselves at risk by asking them to travel in this way, especially in freezing conditions.”
Mr Fraser continued: “I have written to NHS Tayside to ask them what action they will take to rectify a problem which has clearly escalated since the newer parking rules have been introduced. It is clear that the demand for spaces outweighs the number of spaces available. It must surely be a concern that there will be knock-on costs to NHS Tayside from the number of missed or delayed appointments and I understand from staff working within the hospital that they are also frustrated with the disruption caused to appointment schedules.
“The alternative proposal suggested in the ‘Journey Planner’ is frankly nonsense. It is time NHS Tayside addressed the parking problem at Ninewells and considered the problems encountered by my constituents.”
