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NHS staff anger after 1,700 fewer parking permits issued for Aberdeen hospital

by Kali Lindsay
29/01/2016, 12:00 pm Updated: 29/01/2016, 12:56 pm
Full: There is space for 2,000 cars with around 7,000 workers at Foresterhill.
Full: There is space for 2,000 cars with around 7,000 workers at Foresterhill.

Around 1,700 fewer parking permits will be issued to staff at an Aberdeen hospital in a bid to tackle a parking crisis.

A permit system was introduced for workers at the Foresterhill campus in 2012 with approximately 4,000 handed out to staff since then.

NHS Grampian asked staff to reapply last October, as numbers of vehicles using the site’s car parks continued to increase – but the health board is only expecting to issue around 2,300 permits to workers, 1,700 fewer than before.

A number of outraged staff have contacted the Evening Express after being told they would not get a permit despite living in areas like Peterhead, Peterculter and Newmachar. It is understood some staff will have to take two buses before and after a 12-hour shift.

Permits are issued according to a strict criteria which looks at distance, business need, public transport options and personal circumstances.

The criteria is looked at as a combination to determine whether or not a person qualifies for a permit.

An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said parking is “extremely challenging” at the Foresterhill campus which has around 7,000 workers.

She said: “On a typical day around 14,000 vehicles access the site; we have parking available for around 2,000 vehicles.

“We are in the process of informing staff of the outcome of their application.

“We realise those staff who have not been successful will be upset.

“They will have the opportunity to appeal the decision once permits have been allocated.”

She added that NHS Grampian has aimed to provide travel alternatives for staff.

These include pool cars for staff who need to travel off site on business and an inter-site shuttle bus service, while plans are under way for a new multi-storey car park, which is supported by The Wood Foundation.

The spokeswoman added: “However, we are also developing new buildings and services. The pressure on car parking is unlikely to ease significantly and we would urge patients and visitors alike to think about transport alternatives.”