Car parking barriers put in at hospitals

Published on Friday 2 January 2009 09:09

MEASURES have been put in place in a bid to ensure priority access to patients and visitors at Lothians hospitals following the abolition of parking charges.

Concerns have been raised about the impact of unrestricted parking at NHS Lothian hospitals, especially St John's and the Western General.

James McCaffery, chief operating officer for acute services at NHS Lothian, said it has introduced "a series of measures" there to make as little disruption as possible to patients.

He said: "Barriers will still remain in place to control the flow of incoming and outgoing traffic in a bid to prevent traffic congestion.

"Staff have been reminded they should not park in the visitors' car parks and instead leave them free for patients and their families who require access to vital medical care.

"Members of staff who have previously paid to access car parks will still be allowed to park using the same pass, which was originally issued in line with a robust criteria."

He added: "The only exception is the PFI-funded Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where staff and visitors will still be required to pay as all parking fees are controlled by our private sector partner.

"We are currently in discussions with them about car parking."