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The parking situation

Posted By DottiesMum

"The parking situation"

About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Outpatients

(as the patient),

Every time I have to attend this hospital I dread it due to the parking situation. I am very glad they didn't take my blood pressure today after a 25 minute battle to secure a disabled space. I'm exhausted and fed up knowing I'm back there next week for another appointment. 

I am very aware of the environmental concerns, however my next solution  involves a lift from mum who lives and 80 mile round trip - how is that environmentally friendly? How is 25 mins extra driving to secure a space environmentally friendly? 20 minutes of a nurse's time wasted because I was late. 
I cannot use public transport, I am too ill and the effort required to get to a bus stop, get the bus, and then the same home again, it's just not something my health can sustain. With a compromised immune system it's not safe. A full day on hospital transport would need a 3-day recovery. 
I don't feel it's okay to treat your most vulnerable members of society with such little care. 
I am not alone in this. Any time I have mentioned parking everyone has a story.

 

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Responses

Response from Caroline Logan, Person Centred Co-ordinator, Nursing, NHS Forth Valley nearly 2 years ago
Caroline Logan
Person Centred Co-ordinator, Nursing,
NHS Forth Valley

Submitted on 11/09/2023 at 10:42
Published on Care Opinion at 10:42

Hi DottiesMum

I am so sorry to read of the difficulties you are experiencing whilst trying to park your car when attending appointments. I know it can be extremely frustrating and stressful when you arrive at the hospital with plenty of time and then you are faced with trying to find a space to park, and you worry about being late.

We are very aware of the difficulties our patients are experiencing at busy times of the day when parking their cars, particularly for disabled users. We have recently increased the number of disabled spaces within the main visitors car park and created a new car park with 182 car parking spaces at the back of the hospital to try and ease the situation. I do understand that due to inappropriate parking and behaviour by other users it causes difficulties.

A review of parking is currently being undertaken and work continues with our Facilities Management Service Provider who is taking steps to monitor inappropriate parking, parking out with designated parking bays, in short stay areas and in accessible spaces.

I hope this provides some reassurance that we are actively trying to improve the parking situation and I can only apologise for your experience.

If I can be of any further help please contact me on 01324 566162 or by email caroline.logan@nhs.scot.

Kind Regards

Caroline

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by DottiesMum (the patient)

I arrived for my appointment, no spaces again. The stress of the parking lottery is totally unacceptable, the reply to my earlier comment highlighting new spaces at the front are irrelevant here. I cannot walk the distance to get to day med from the front. I can't physically walk without severe pain. I ended up parking on the grass verge, late for my appointment and worrying about my car for my whole appointment.

I am told that these essential spaces for poorly people are often filled with staff cars and have been full since before 9. Totally unacceptable. I've taken a couple of photos.

I feel you are totally failing your vulnerable patients here. I'm tired and ill with high blood pressure. I hate coming to appointments here at Larbert.

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