Staff at St John’s Hospital have said new car parking regulations are putting their safety at risk by forcing them to park off site.
As of Monday (December 3) the Livingston hospital has introduced new car parking measures which will reduce the number of spaces available for staff.
Staff claim that they may now be forced to park away from the hospital which means walking to their work in the dark and after late shifts which will compromise their safety.
A further change to the car parking regulations in Car Park P will take place from January which will see all vehicles entering the car park directed to an entry control point and asked why they are attending the hospital. Individuals who are not eligible to park will be asked to leave the grounds.
One employee at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Courier: “There obviously is a parking issue for staff.
"There allegedly isn’t enough spaces for staff to park and a lot of staff use the main car park at the front of the hospital which only patients and visitors are supposed to use.
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“Unfortunately staff have nowhere else to park. They have suggested that we park at Livingston Football Club Stadium and then walk to the hospital, which would be fine.
“But on dark mornings and dark evenings after a long shift , where there are actually no footpaths and only underpasses, this is really worrying and concerning.
“It’s fine saying that we can park off site but there have been incidents of people being attacked before, especially late at night.”
The hospital has agreed with Livingston FC that 37 spaces can be used at the football ground however staff argue that isn’t enough to cover the shortfall.
Ashley Ruck tweeted: “As of Monday this week, St John’s Hospital in Livingston have stopped staff parking on site. We have been told to go to small off site car parks which mean walking through woods in the dark where people have previously been attacked.
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“Some staff have contacted the unions but were told they couldn’t do anything and to contact Nicola Sturgeon. Nurses should not have to compromise their safety getting to work.”
George Curley, director of facilities, NHS Lothian said: “The new parking procedural changes for Car Park P at St John’s are necessary to ensure that the overall balance of spaces available for patients, visitors and staff is appropriate.
“The changes will help increase access to our services, where possible reduce the number of patient complaints due to lack of parking and reduce the risk of violence and aggression towards our car parking team. Another solution we’re trialling is to find alternative off site parking arrangements which will help relieve the challenges the site faces.”
