Concerns over delayed hospital parking meeting

Ninewells: Councillor claims it was supposed to take place in October but has still not been arranged

It is taking an “absolute age” to arrange a meeting between politicians and parking chiefs a Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, according to a councillor.

Fraser Macpherson said he and other representatives of the Lochee and West End wards were told a meeting with hospital bosses had been scheduled for October last year.

The meeting was brought about due to the complaints from residents around Ninewells regarding parking provision.

Coupled with the rising cost in parking in the hospital, residents in both wards have expressed concerns about overspill.

Mr Macpherson said he had concerns regarding the health board’s administration capabilities because of the delays in organising the meeting.

In correspondence viewed by The Courier, plans to arrange a meeting between NHS Tayside chief operating officer Lorna Wiggin and Mr Macpherson alludes to one being organised at the end of October.

According to Mr Macpherson, this is yet to take place.

He said: “I was pleased NHS Tayside is prepared to discuss the parking concerns with local councillors.

“However, it is taking the NHS an absolute age to arrange this.

“I had requested that local councillors for the West End and Lochee are invited to participate in the discussion as we get the bulk of constituent complaints and concerns about parking at Ninewells.

He continued: “Therefore, it has been decided to drop the matter from the agenda for the MSP/MP and NHS Tayside joint session and instead have a meeting with all the local councillors whose wards are affected by the parking issue – these being the Lochee Ward to the north of Ninewells Hospital and the West End Ward to the south and east of the hospital.

“This was agreed in September 2017 and it has still not been arranged by the NHS.

“There’s a real need for proper and positive cross-party discussions to look at ways of improving the parking situation for outpatients, NHS staff and hospital visitors.”

Earlier this month car park operators Indigo announced increases to the cost of using their parking — with an individual visit now costing £2.30, payable only in small change.

The Ninewells car park is one of only three at hospitals in Scotland still charging users, after a private finance initiative was used to fund it in 2001 under the then Labour-lib Dem Scottish executive. In the last decade the cost of parking in Ninewells has increased by more than 260%.

NHS Tayside was approached for comment.

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Vehicles queue to enter a car park at Ninewells. In the last decade the cost of parking at the hospital has increased by more than 260%.