Able-bodied drivers ‘nicking’ disabled spaces at hospital

Man says blue badge holders struggle to park near building

A disabled Fife man has hit out at ablebodied drivers “nicking” designated parking spaces at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital.

David Elrick, from Lochore, said blue badge holders with appointments at the hospital found it extremely difficult to get parked because of the selfish actions of others.

The 67-year-old has now called for better policing of disabled spaces by NHS Fife staff.

While the number of spaces allocated at the Vic for those with disabilities complies with Scottish Government recommendations, parking generally is an issue there for both patients and staff.

The car park is also the subject of a parking regulation order which means fixed penalty notices can be issued to those parked inappropriately.

Nonetheless, Mr Elrick said he is often forced to park far from the hospital entrance when non-blue badge holders were taking up disabled spaces.

“Non-disabled drivers are nicking our parking spaces,” he said.

“I wrote to NHS Fife’s chief executive about it and he rang me up to debate it.

“The last time I had an appointment there were five cars without blue badges parked in disabled spaces near the Hayfield entrance and three of them are regular users of these spaces.

“I had to park at the other end of the hospital, which was one hell of a trek for me.”

Mr Elrick said blue badge spaces across Scotland were being abused “left, right and centre”.

“In this case, responsibility for policing it lies with the hospital.”

NHS Fife’s director of estates, facilities and capital development, Andrew Fairgrieve, said: “NHS Fife works to ensure that both patients and staff have access to appropriate parking spaces at our hospitals, although we acknowledge this is often difficult due to a high demand that is reflected across Scotland.

“We value all feedback and regularly reflect upon it as we are constantly looking at ways to improve car parking.

“We also monitor the impact of existing arrangements at regular intervals to make sure we are best serving our patients and our staff.”

The last time I had an appointment there were five cars without blue badges parked in disabled spaces near the Hayfield entrance and three of them are regular users of these spaces. DAVID ELRICK

Picture: Steven Brown. David Elrick at Victoria Hospital where he often cannot get a parking space.