More dedicated long-stay car parking spaces at Perth Royal Infirmary have been made available for use by patients, visitors and staff.
Run by Smart Parking, car parks two and 16 at PRI have been changed to long-stay car parks which means there is no time limit in these lots and there is no need for vehicles to display a free parking ticket.
The move comes after the PA exclusively revealed last June that PRI health staff were being forced to park in spaces designated for patients “as a last resort” due to delays in the allocation of staff parking permits.
Many nurses feared being fined as a result and that a previous decision to reduce the number of staff spaces had exacerbated the problem.
But now, these changes have been introduced to make more spaces available for long-stay parking on site for patients, visitors and staff.
Disabled parking has not been affected with dedicated parking spaces available across the site.
Updated signage for the car parks will be in place to reflect the new parking arrangements.
There is no change to parking arrangements for other car parks at PRI and users are reminded that they must collect and clearly display a free parking ticket or permit in their vehicle as required.
A car park attendant will be on site from Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm to oversee the car parks.
An NHS Tayside spokesperson added: “The car parks can be busy at peak times and patients, visitors and staff are encouraged to consider alternative ways of getting to hospital such as using public transport, cycling, walking or arranging to be dropped off by a relative or friend.
“If it is essential that you travel by car, please leave adequate time to find a space prior to your appointment.”
Further information about parking at PRI and other sites can be found on NHS Tayside’s website www.nhstayside.scot.nhs.uk
