Letters to Editor: ERI extension ignores car parking problems

I am concerned about the size of the complex surrounding the Edinburgh Royal infirmary at Little France.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Sep 2016, 15:01 BST
Updated 7th Sep 2016, 13:16 BST

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An artist's impression of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Picture; contributedAn artist's impression of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Picture; contributed
An artist's impression of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Picture; contributed

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Since the new ERI was built there have been continual complaints from patients, staff and visitors regarding the car parking arrangements. The latest artist’s impression of the additional Sick Children’s and clinical neurosciences department shows a small, 18-space car park.

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As Susan Goldsmith claims (Letters, September 2), the NHS has been through a rigorous design process and I believe it will, as she says, deliver world class medicine. However, the biggest flaws in the design, both of the original ERI and the new complex, is how is it accessed. Staff now travel to this complex from some distance and the most convenient route is to drive. In many cases it needs multiple buses to get there.

Most of the ‘close by’ car parking has been used up with the new buildings and the front of the ERI has now become the back.

However once you have found a place to park you must walk some distance to find the department or ward you are visiting.

So was there a full discussion among staff, patients and their families on accessibility? The medical centre at Little France is larger than any retail park, which have huge parking facilities for their customers and, of course, if there wasn’t, they wouldn’t get the custom.

Alan Ross, Edinburgh

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