Gordon Banks

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks has been representing the views of staff of the new Forth Valley hospital at Larbert concerned about new parking proposals which could see staff excluded from the hospital car park.

Mr Banks has been raising hospital parking issues at Falkirk and Stirling Hospitals with the health board for the past two years but has recently received complaints from staff due to be located at the new hospital who have not been given permits to park.

Gordon said – “Staff feel the system to determine eligibility for the permits is deeply flawed and I am inclined to agree with them.  The new hospital is not particularly well served by public transport from Clackmannanshire, therefore it’s necessary that members of staff use their car.  There is also a safety issue for staff working shift patterns especially when those shifts finish late at night and it would be much safer for staff to be able to have their cars parked close by.”

“I took the opportunity to raise this issue again with Ian Mullen (Chair of Forth Valley Health Board) last week on a visit to the new hospital and asked that he look again at this issue as it is causing a great deal of concern to members of the staff.”

“We need a situation where staff and those with special access requirements are given priority to ensure they are able to carry out their duties.  I hope the health board will re-consider its approach to this issue.”

“This matter is impacting on working relationships and constituents have been attending my surgeries to express their anger.  I feel that the current assessment process is open to variable interpretation and I would urge all staff members who have not received a permit to lodge an appeal.”

“People living in Clackmannanshire are now finding that despite the millions of pounds of health board money invested in this public hospital to increase access, they will be expected to make public transport journeys of up to 2 hours for what would be a 20 minute car journey.  This is untenable and must be resolved.”