"Patient & Visitor Parking"

I am aware of the unacceptable parking situation at this hospital. It has been allowed to worsen over the years, not keeping pace with the expansion of the hospital's increased responsibilities and other surgical and medical facilities. In the past I have seen outpatients worried sick at having parked 'in the wrong place' after driving round the hospital many times looking for somewhere to park in time for an appointment for which they have waited 3 months. As i live near Stockbrige, 'Park and Ride' is not an option and would mean driving all the way through Winchester only to be driven back by bus. The normal bus service is infrequent and inconvenient for attending hospital appointments. Yesterday, having waited since March for an appointment and fortunate enough to get one early in the day I arrived by car a little early at 0815 and easily found a parking slot in the multi-story which is sign-posted "Patients and Visitors Parking". I noted that some, only a few, of the spaces are labelled "For Staff Permit Holders". As I waited the level rapidly filled up, not with patients or visitors but with individuals who were clearly hospital staff, some dressed as such and who didn't seem to need parking tickets. No wonder there are no parking spaces left by mid-morning for patients or visitors. Is this permitted, if so why?