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Care Opinion

Parking at Ardmillan Breast Screening Centre

Posted By UpsetFK5

"Parking at Ardmillan Breast Screening Centre"

About: NHS Lothian / South East Scotland Breast Screening Centre

(as other),

In November my wife had to attend the South East Scotland Breast Screening Programme at Ardmillan House.

As you are aware they have a very busy car park. This being our first visit to the area.

My wife had the added complication of recovering from a serious broken ankle and could only walk short distances. This being a difficult time for her it was paramount that she had little distance to walk and that I could accompany her.

Having been at the BSP Unit for a little while I then went out to move our vehicle once parking became available at Ardmillan House.

I have previously complained to Springwell practice by email as well as the BSP and also SCAN.

SCAN were the only ones to reply.

I will not, nor do I see why we should be expected to pay a parking charge when we have had to travel at least 30 miles to the BSP unit. In addition your car park only ever had three vehicles in it at any given time whilst we were there, hardly denying your patients and parking.

We will continue to ignore the vehement notices from Parking Eye.

At no time have we entered into any form of contract with Springfield Medical Centre or Parking Eye.

It is time NHS Lothian got it's act together at that location for the benefit of ALL visitors.

Regards

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Responses

Response from Stuart Wilson, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, NHS Lothian 11 years ago
Stuart Wilson
Director of Communications and Public Affairs,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 30/01/2013 at 12:02
Published on Care Opinion at 12:16

The car park you mention is shared between a number of different agencies, one of which is the GP practice.

I understand that you parked in a space that is clearly marked as belonging to the GP practice and not the Breast Screening Centre.

NHS Lothian is not responsible for the GP practice as GPs operate as independent contractors and the car park arrangements they have in place are a matter for the practice and not the NHS.

I am sorry that you have experienced difficulties in this matter but it is not a situation that NHS Lothian can help you with as it falls outside our remit.

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Update posted by UpsetFK5 (other)

Your understanding is incorrect in that I did not say who parked. As registered keeper I am being sent an invoice.

I have neither a contract with Springwell Practice nor Parking Eye. In any case, Springwell Practice have suffered no loss.

It is my understanding that my wife's health is the responsibility of the NHS in as far as Breast Screening is concerned and that NHS Lothian in issuing a request to attend for screening should have a duty to provide parking places for that attendance. The fact that you cannot adequately provide or control the parking spaces for which you have responsibility is in my view a dereliction of your duty to the patient.

To improve the situation you should issue a parking permit to those attending for screening which will ensure a place is available. I am convinced that your spaces were taken up by other than patients.

I am glad you indicate that the "contractors" and facilities operated at Springwell Centre are related to NHS Services.

NHS Lothian as the paymaster to these contractors can include in their contracts a requirement to facilitate arrangements to the benefit to ALL patients of the NHS at that location and should do so immediately.

Response from Stuart Wilson, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, NHS Lothian 11 years ago
Stuart Wilson
Director of Communications and Public Affairs,
NHS Lothian

Submitted on 01/02/2013 at 09:49
Published on Care Opinion at 10:20

I am sorry you remain upset over this. If whoever was driving a car registered to you parked in a space clearly marked as being for the GP Prractice then that is a matter between you and them. The NHS can only provide car parking spaces at its facilities where space allows.

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