"Parking"

I arrived at Ninewells Hospital today for an appointment. I don’t attend often but when I do it is for something obviously very important, which is why I am there. I arrived approximately half an hour to 45 minutes before my actual appointment time and the car parks were at a complete standstill and there wasn’t much manoeuvring. I have never experienced anything like it when I have attended before but I can only think it’s because of the car park charges being removed.

I was also told from a staff member about the difficulty they have parking to get to shift which is causing them to be late and another telling me the parking situation is terrible. That’s not fair on them or on patient care either. I had to phone the clinic I was attending to tell them about the situation, asking if this was normal or if something had happened, and told them that I was possibly going to be late because I could not get in. I was stuck in between cars and I couldn’t get out to even go and find another space. I was told that I had 15 minutes only after my appointment time and if I didn’t arrive then I possibly might not be seen. It would be up to the clinic if they saw me as they might be fully booked. She said she would let the clinic know. The message to my knowledge, hadn’t been handed over to the person I was seeing. I also arrived very flustered and stressed to an appointment that I need led to be rested and calm for as I was having a procedure done that is uncomfortable.

I had to take time off my work today, and had that been the case that I wasn’t at my appointment on time and I missed it, I’m guessing I would have had to reschedule and also take more time off my work.

I got a text message prior to attending my appointment that said it costs the NHS £227 per appointment missed. Some people would have to attend appointments and miss a day of work and not be paid, in some circumstances, but then to turn up and not be seen and then have to make another appointment due to the parking situation, that’s not fair.

I get the parking charges have been taken away as a goodwill gesture for people attending the hospital however something needs to be done about people who are parking up there and then using public transport from there. I was told from another member of your staff that they had seen somebody park up and then jump on the bus. That’s shocking that people are abusing a hospital car park like that. It is not fair on patients or visitors of loved ones who are being cared for, for this to be happening.

Something needs to be done to allow people to park for appointments they attend, I guess more so important than visitors and even more importantly that your staff can get parked. I don’t know if a system could be put in place where a QR code or barcode was added to appointment letters which would allow patients to park up for free in a designated area and I feel the staff also need a carpark they can access for themselves only. I think it’s awful that your own staff can’t get parked.. It’s really bad if patients are having to wait longer which means parking there longer, it has a detrimental knock on effect.

I think it was pretty good that I had turned up about 30/45 minutes prior, which shouldn’t be required really. 20mins should be enough prior to attending. That’s an ample amount of time to attend before an appointment.

Luckily I managed to get to my appointment but I think if your own staff can’t get parked up, that’s a more serious issue for the care of patients. I believe NHS workers already work long hours but imagine having to turn up to your work an hour early just to get parked up, on top of your actual journey. It’s terrible. Patients waiting longer and missing appointments is a massive issue too, which means a waste of resources and staff sitting waiting for patients when they could be helping others.

I would like you to consider the parking situation for both patients and staff. 

Thank you.