MSP’s call for free car parking at Ninewells

Tory Bill Bowman claims reorganisation of services may lead to problems for patients

An MSP has called for parking charges to be scrapped at Ninewells Hospital in the wake of changes to services in NHS Tayside.

Conservative MSP Bill Bowman has said that “now is the time” to revisit controversial payments in light of a reorganisation of services that will see all emergency surgeries in the ward moved to the Dundee hospital.

The changes were brought in by new health secretary Jeane Freeman last week.

Mr Bowman, who represents North East Scotland, has said that this will likely lead to an increase in traffic in the already congested area.

Parking in Ninewells is run by Indigo Parking Services.

A 30-year private contract with the company was signed by the then Labour/ Liberal Democrat coalition Scottish government. It will not expire until 2028.

Mr Bowman said: “By design, there will be a lot more urgent parking at Ninewells and fewer planned journeys.

“People will be in a hurry. They may not have £2.30 in their pockets.

“Such sweeping changes demand a sweeping rethink. Now is the time for Jeane Freeman to get around a table with Indigo and the board’s executives to get a fairer deal for the people of Tayside.”

Under the new plans, Perth Royal Infirmary will conduct planned surgeries and Stracathro Regional Treatment Centre will treat day and short-stay patients.

The Scottish Government discontinued parking charges in all but three hospitals.

The royal infirmaries in Glasgow and Edinburgh are also provided as part of private finance initiatives, which ministers say are too costly to buy out.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “It was the SNP Scottish Government who scrapped parking charges at all NHS owned hospital car parks in December 2008 – a move which has saved patients, visitors and staff over £32 million.

“Sadly, thanks to long-term PFI contracts, that were promoted by the Tories and signed by Labour, charges remain in place at three hospitals.

“These contracts locked in long-term deals with operators which precede the SNP Government. We’ll continue to keep these contracts under review.

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Parking charges at Ninewells Hospital are tied in to an agreement with a private company which ends in 2028.