NHS Tayside’s new management team has been asked for fresh ideas to solve the parking crisis at Ninewells Hospital.
The Dundee hospital is one of only three in Scotland that still charges for parking, with costs, controversially, rising this year.
The fees, coupled with “extortionate” parking fines, have been blamed for surrounding residential areas being used as “overflow car parks”, leading to complaints from the residents.
The health authority appointed a new chairman, John Brown, at the start of the month, who recently presided over his first board meeting.
North East region MSP Bill Bowman has now called on the new management, which also includes new acting chief executive Malcolm Wright, to step up to find solutions to the parking problem.
He has written to the Scottish Government and parking operator Indigo, requesting a new deal between the latter and NHS Tayside.
Mr Bowman said: “The health secretary has dismissed any attempt to revisit the arrangement between the health board and Indigo.
“This is particularly troubling as her constituency is in Dundee.
“While they do have a lot on their plate, I am hopeful that the acting chiefs can lay out plans. This is the best time for a new way of thinking.”
Health Secretary Shona Robinson appointed the new senior management team after it emerged that charitable donations had been used to pay for computer equipment.
Only three hospitals in Scotland, all built under the Private Finance Initiative, charge for parking – Tayside’s largest hospital, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Mr Bowman said constituents have told him about their difficulties finding spaces near the hospital, including local people unable to park near their homes, visitors to the hospital, and members of staff.
However, ministers at Holyrood have ruled out buying out the PFI deals, saying it would be too costly.
Health secretary Shona Robison said:
“Since we abolished charges at NHS car parks in 2008, we estimate this has saved patients, visitors and staff more than £33 million.
“However, due to the PFI contract at Ninewells signed under a previous administration, charges remain there.
“We’ve ensured through the funding mechanisms we use to deliver new projects that charging for hospital car parking is not permitted.
“We have been clear with health boards that we expect them to work with their PFI contractors to ensure that any charges in place are kept to a minimum.
“We expect all PFI contracts to be kept under review to ensure best value for the public purse.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said: “We are aware that car parking at Ninewells Hospital can sometimes experience pressure at peak times, however the site is particularly well served by public transport and we encourage staff and visitors to consider alternative travel options, such as car sharing, cycling, walking or public transport, wherever possible.”
