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

"Car Parking Suggestion for Oncology Patients"

About: Raigmore Hospital / Breast Clinic Raigmore Hospital / North of Scotland Breast Screening Centre Raigmore Hospital / Radiotherapy

(as the patient),

fter the recent stories in the news about improving the car parking situation finally at Raigmore Hospital, I'd like to make a suggestion which will seriously benefit oncology patients. 

After going through treatment for breast cancer in 2018, the cumulative effect of 18 weeks of chemotherapy really hit home hard as the side effects became worse and became more debilitating. Towards the end of treatment I was no longer able to walk from the car park on the odd occasion we managed to find a parking space and in the end my husband had to drop me at the front door to find a seat while he attempted to park or abandon the car somewhere safe so he could then help me along to the MacMillan Suite for the day. Leaving time was a similar fiasco as I wasn't always able to walk to the car. After discovering there was a side entrance to the building opposite from the Maggie's Centre my husband then began collecting me from there instead. Radiotherapy was a nightmare as I had to come in to the hospital everyday for 19 days in a row apart from weekends.  By this point I relied on family and friends to help out, often sitting and waiting in the car or driving round and round the back of the hospital looking desperately for a parking space until my short 15 minute session was finished. 

When you are planning the new parking spaces and where to put cameras, would it be possible to allocate some dedicated parking spaces down the side of the building to allow oncology patients easier access to park and use the side  entrance to the hospital and also to allow them to use the Maggie's Centre which is an amazing facility for patients and their families and friends. On many an occasion I had tried to attend a group support session only to have to go home again as I couldn't get parked. Other hospitals such as Aberdeen Royal Infirmary have dedicated short term parking places for oncology and radiotherapy patients, I would like to see staff parking moved from the side of the building and to see something to help oncology patients who have to attend on a regular basis for treatment but who become more unwell as their treatment goes on instead of better!
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Katherine Sutton, Chief Officer - Acute Services, NHS Highland 5 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Katherine Sutton
Chief Officer - Acute Services,
NHS Highland
Submitted on 22/04/2019 at 09:05
Published on Care Opinion at 17:06


Dear Frustrated Filly,

Thank you very much for taking the time to feedback to us on your experiences whilst undergoing treatment and trying to find parking space on the Raigmore site.

I will pass on your message to the team who are planning the new car parking arrangements with a view to them considering how to incorporate your suggestions into the new arrangements for onsite parking for patients.

Kind regards,

Katherine

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