This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"A Faultless Experience let down by a Lack of..."

About: Churchill Hospital / General surgery

I've been visiting the Churchill for two years now following testicular cancer and kidney cancer. Travelling all the way from Milton Keynes I initially used the Water Eaton Park & Ride which is suggested by the hospital as the preferred method of transport. However, I find the addition of almost 3 hours spent on a bus ride each visit both tiring and unacceptable especially when I've already spent almost 2 hours by car on some days. Parking at the hospital is dreadful and the frustration patients feel when visiting is only too evident when looking for a space. I have been yelled at many times by other frustrated patients and the design of these car parks only adds to peoples anger. For instance last week I attended the Churchill for my pre-op assessment and upon arrival at 10.30 am the car parks were all full. After driving around the whole site and discovering that all car parks were full I joined the queue at Car Park 1. My appointment was scheduled for 10.45 am which gave me just 15 minutes to find a spot, this is despite having left my house in Milton Keynes much earlier than usual to allow for the morning rush hour. Eventually after waiting some 10 minutes I gave up on Car Park 1 and tried car park 2. Once again I joined the back of the queue with around 15 cars in front of me. Cars were being allowed into the car park one by one but it took a full 30 minutes before I reached the barrier. Once inside the car park I waited behind other cars for a space to become available but due to the stupid layout of this car park you have to drive all the way round to look for an empty space. This is where the frustration begins because other cars behind you follow you and if a car pulls out behind you you cannot then reverse back into that spot due to the queue behind. This results in people at the back of the queue effectively getting the space before you do. Worse still is if you're inside the car park and haven't found a space withing 15 minutes you have to pay to exit the barriers! Likewise if you have already had your appointment and are ready to exit the car park it's not always possible to do so withing 15 minutes if other cars are queuing and blocking your exit. This is completely wrong!! Why doesn't the Churchill demolish the old terrapin buildings and make way for a multi-storey instead? The cost to the Churchill in delayed and missed appointments must surely run into the millions, there seems to be plenty of 'open space' at the Churchill which is being wasted on shrubs, why not use this space more effectively and reduce your losses and ultimately the stress on your patients?

nhs.uk logo
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Churchill Hospital 7 years ago
Churchill Hospital
Submitted on 02/12/2016 at 14:00
Published on nhs.uk on 03/12/2016 at 01:31


Thank you for your comments regarding the car parking situation at the Churchill Hospital. I am very sorry that your experience was let down by the parking issues. We would welcome the opportunity to investigate the issues you have raised and provide you with a response. If you would like us to do this, please do not hesitate to contact the Complaints Department on 01865 221728 or at complaints@ouh.nhs.uk who will be happy to discuss the complaint process with you.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k