Parking plea made for Highlands' biggest hospital
Users of Raigmore Hospital’s car park are being asked not to be so selfish and to think of others when parking up.
There has been recent concern from members of the public and staff about parking at the strath's main A&E hospital.
Health chiefs are now asking motorists for their cooperation in addressing problems which included inconsiderate parking which blocks in other vehicles and illegal parking in disabled parking bays.
Mr Crawford Howat, spokesman for Raigmore Hospital, said: “The car park at Raigmore is very busy and we recognise that it can be difficult trying to find a space when you are coming in for an appointment or to visit a patient.
“However what we have noticed, and it has also been highlighted to us by members of the public and staff, is that not everyone is considerate of others when parking on site.
“We know that for some coming into a hospital environment can be a stressful experience and a busy car park can add to that but we have examples of cars being blocked in, access roads being blocked and the disabled bays at the front of the car park being used by those who do not have blue badges displayed on their car.”
Mr Howat explained that many of the complaints coming to the hospital with regards car parking are in relation to how people park rather than the car park itself.
He said: “The main car park has just under 900 spaces including disabled bays and we have also in recent years split it so patients and visitors can park in the front of the car park while staff park at the back.
"The idea being that there will be a higher turnover of cars in the front section of the car park therefore more chance of you finding a space.
"“Staff are reminded on a regular basis that they should park to the rear of the car park and our security staff also monitor it first thing in the morning to ensure it is being used appropriately.”
There is an overflow car park on site as well as parking at our staff accommodation and associated buildings.
The nearby Centre or Health Science also has a car park although there is a £1 charge on exit.
Linda Kirkland, Interim of Director of Operations for Raigmore Hospital, said it is clear the car park needs more spaces but this is not something that the hospital will be able to do at the moment.
She commented: “We’re fully aware that having a bigger car park would go a long way to helping us resolve this but it is just not something that we are in a position to do at this current time.
“What we are asking is that everyone takes responsibility for how they use our car park.
"Leave enough time to find a space if you are coming in for an appointment, please don’t block cars in or block any of our access roads and please be considerate of others when driving round and parking on our site.”
