Briggs calls on Scottish Government to work with NHS Lothian to increase car parking at RIE as 614 NHS Lothian staff wait for parking permit.
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian, has written to the Health Secretary Shona Robison asking the Scottish Government to work with NHS Lothian to increase car parking capacity at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE), the main hospital in the region, for both staff members and members of the public and visitors. NHS Lothian has revealed to Miles Briggs that 614 NHS Lothian staff are currently on the waiting list for a parking permit at the RIE with more than 500 having waited for more than 5 years. Miles has been contacted by constituents who are NHS staff members who do not have permits and have complained about the costs they incur for parking at the RIE. In addition, constituents visiting friends and family members have complained about the difficulty in finding any car parking space at the car park.
Speaking today Miles said:
“The lack of car parking capacity at the RIE for both staff and visitors is a major issue and significant concern. The fact that hundreds of hard-working NHS Lothian staff have been waiting for more than 5 years to get a parking permit demonstrates the extent of the problem.
“Staff without parking permits are understandably frustrated and alarmed at the costs they face for parking when at work. One recently graduated young nurse working at the RIE who contacted me has told me her parking bill at the RIE is almost £100.00 per month, a significant chunk of her take home pay. She lives in West Lothian and public transport options simply don’t exist that would get her to the RIE in time for her shifts.
“In addition to the lack of sufficient permit parking places for NHS staff, NHS Lothian also concedes that visitor car parks are at capacity every day.
“Given the extra services being developed at Little France which will make the site even busier, I believe it is vital that the Scottish Government agrees to work with NHS Lothian to put plans in place to expand car parking capacity for both staff and visitors. I have written to Shona Robison and look forward to her reply and the support of the Scottish Government.”
