Parking scheme has helped surgery patients
I AM chair of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) at Woodbrook Medical Centre (WMC) and should like to add just a few words to the debate about parking there, started by your recent article regarding fines or charges being levied upon patients parking at the Surgery.
The PPG acts as a bridge between the patients and the Practice. The matter of parking has been on our radar since the group was formed more than five years ago. We have been con- stantly aware of the problems faced by patients attending the Surgery when trying to park. We have supported the Practice in a number of initiatives over the years to try to improve the situation.
The current scheme, which is provided – free of charge to the Practice – by a company called “ParkingEye”, was selected as a “last resort” when all other avenues had been explored. It received the full backing of the PPG. ParkingEye has a strong presence in NHS establishments across the spectrum from Surgeries like ours up to large hospitals. Indeed, other surgeries in Loughborough and hospitals across the region are considering the same system.
The system provides a benefit to the overwhelming majority of WMC’s patients by keeping abuse of the parking to a minimum. Quite simply, it has all-but put a stop to unauthorised parking.
At our PPG meeting this week, we heard from more than one member that patients to whom they had spoken had supported the system and said how much easier it is to park at the surgery.
A very positive result, I think.
Colin Machin Chair, Woodbrook Patient Participation Group.