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Lack of Disability Parking

Posted By Concernd citizen

"Lack of Disability Parking"

About: Outpatients Services / Care of the Elderly Outpatients

(as a service user),

Informed disabled parking in MIH closed, checked disabled car parking front of MIH states blue badge holders, yet counted seven cars parked with no blue badges. Enquired with security on gate as to why disabled parking sign up closed yet cars parked in disabled spaces was informed ‘this is now builders yard and staff park there.’ I said didn’t seem right disabled parking taken away yet the signs still up for blue badge only and non disabled persons parking, was informed this is, I don’t make the rules.

Think this is disgraceful , obviously not a building yard and security staff etc are parking in this designated disabled spaces. I work had to bring my elderly mother who is confined to a wheelchair to her pre op appointment , I had to lift her from the car, place her in the wheelchair and leave her unattended outside the main building while I drove around the car park trying to find a parking space, after waiting 20 minutes I managed to take a space after another person left, luckily I had given us plenty of time and was only a few minutes late.

My mother was lucky, if this was a disabled person on their own  I think this would be a very traumatic experience. I hope this account gives the PCSS management the opportunity to rethink the removal of necessary disabled parking at the Mater Hospital site. May I add the care my mother received from the Admin and clinical staff was excellent.

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Responses

Response from Bernie Carey, Service Manager, Mater Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust last month
Bernie Carey
Service Manager, Mater Hospital,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 12/05/2025 at 09:40
Published on Care Opinion at 09:40

Dear Concerned Citizen

My name is Bernie Carey and I am a manager at the Mater hospital. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re truly sorry for the frustration and distress you faced while trying to accompany your mother to her preop appointment. I understand how difficult and upsetting it must have been to find the disabled parking area closed due to estate works, and even more so to be denied access to a suitable alternative while others parked in the area. This has since been addressed by management. It’s completely understandable that this situation would cause significant inconvenience and stress, especially when trying to ensure your mother arrived on time for her appointment.

I am particularly sorry for the way you were spoken to. You deserved empathy and support in that moment—not just rules. Our staff should have been more proactive in helping you, whether by facilitating access or providing assistance such as a wheelchair to ensure your mother could attend her appointment with dignity and ease.

Please accept my sincere apologies on behalf of the Trust. Your feedback highlights important areas for improvement in how we support service users during disruptions, and we will be addressing this with the relevant teams. Regretfully the planned works to the old building will continue into the winter. However we will work hard to get the disabled parking area reopened soon so that future visits will be much smoother for you and your mother.

Concerned Citizen Thank you again for raising this—it matters.

Take care Bernie

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Update posted by Concernd citizen (a service user)

Many Thanks Bernie, both my mother and I really appreciate your response and the time you have taken to understand our issues. We are extremely grateful the disabled parking will be put back in place after the building works. As previously confirmed the Admin staff and Clinical staff gave my mother an excellent service and are to be highly commended

Many Thanks Concerned Citizen.

Response from Bernie Carey, Service Manager, Mater Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust last month
Bernie Carey
Service Manager, Mater Hospital,
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 13/05/2025 at 11:58
Published on Care Opinion at 11:58

Concerned Citizen

Thank you for speaking highly about both the admin and clinical staff. Staff are always delighted to hear they have provided a good experience

Please be assured the car parking will reopen and it will be for Blue badge holders only when it does, Unfortunately this will be delayed until the estates works are completed which regretfully will be well into the winter. You know how things are, there is no definite time and the building itself is a very old building

However I will keep this concern very much within my radar, I promise.

Take care and Thanks again

Bernie

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