"This experience has left my father worried"

Over the last 4 weeks, I've been to Crosshouse Hospital almost every day, taking an elderly relative to visit a family member. I've also taken my father to an outpatient appointment during this time.

I've found it impossible to find a parking space almost every single day. When taking elderly people to the hospital, being able to park is a necessity.

On the day I took my father to his appointment, we were unable to find a parking space on time. He has severe mobility problems and is a Blue Badge holder. He also has issues with his memory and getting confused easily. I am his full-time carer.

We tried the disabled car park near the front entrance but it was full. At least 3 cars parked there were not displaying Blue Badges. Several other cars were clearly using the disabled car park as a drop off/collection point, taking up parking spaces.

My father had to get out the car on his own and struggle to walk into the hospital on his own while I spent a further 10 minutes trying to find a parking space. I finally managed to park in a small carpark at a smaller building separate from the main hospital building. When I caught up with him inside, he was a little upset as he had difficulty finding the correct waiting area on his own.

I found the same problem with parking almost every day while taking my elderly relative to Crosshouse Hospital over several weeks. We noticed that the car park was half empty on bank holidays over Easter. Whether this is because less staff work on these days or no outpatient clinics are held on these days, we don't know, but it does suggest that something could be done to alleviate parking problems.

This experience has left my father worried about attending appointments in future, and I really feel that action of some sort should be taken to try and sort this problem out.