RAH Car Parking

Many staff, patients and visitors at the RAH are deeply worried about plans to introduce car parking restrictions. Only certain staff will get permits to park. Visitors will face a four hour parking limit, with £40 fines in future for over staying.

The total mismanagement of this issue is hitting morale. The board has so far refused to publish its plans in full – which is both short sighted and counter productive.

The RAH is not a big urban hospital like the Western or the Royal Infirmary. Staff come from far and near and public transport alternatives are just not in place. Nor should visitors be charged up to £40 for staying over four hours – complex treatments can take more time.

I am doing all I can to encourage a rethink before the charges are introduced in early June. I have already met with all the consultants at the hospital, nurses and the Unison union. I have secured a meeting with senior managers of the Health Board to press for a rethink next week.

I am calling for the Health Board to:

1. Engage in full consultation with staff before the introduction of any managed car parking plan at the RAH

2. Ensure adequate parking for staff including permits for shift workers so they can park on arrival at their work – and not have to walk far in the dark at the end of their shift

3. To cease plans to charge visitors who overstay

If you wish to add your opposition to the charges please click here

If you wish to read more about the details of the proposals and why they are so flawed click here