Parking and traffic at Northern Ireland’s busiest hospital site have plagued patients, visitors, and staff alike for years
A controversial car parking application process for staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital has been paused, the Trust has confirmed.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that a new permit system would see more than half of the staff at the site being denied a space. The Belfast Trust said the plans were designed to ensure patients and visitors can access the hospital.
But now staff have been informed that the process has been paused after it is understood “very real and genuine patient safety risks” and “very real and genuine staff concerns” were raised.
In a letter sent to staff from Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh, which has been seen by Belfast Live, she said “the risks identified in progressing with the current plans, remain significant”.
She told staff she had decided to pause the process and work will continue to find a way to “increase the number of available permits, the potential to provide alternative transport solutions, and the ability to reduce demand at the Royal Hospitals site”.
In a statement to Belfast Live, a spokesman for the Trust confirmed the process had been paused.
He said: “Belfast Trust has decided to pause the current parking application process for the Royal Group of Hospitals (RGH) site. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their patience, as we continue to find a suitable solution to this very complicated issue.
“Staff can avail of a personalised travel plan by contacting the Trust’s Travel Planning Team. This will contain information on lift sharing, cycling, walking options and public transport which includes train, bus and park and ride. The Travel Plan team can also provide information on discounted travel options for NHS staff.”
In her communication to staff, the Chief Executive Jennifer Welsh, said: “As colleagues who work exclusively or partly at the Royal Hospitals site will be aware, there has been a release of outcomes of car parking applications to staff in recent days.
“4,300 people applied for car parking, with around 1,500 permits available. While some individuals are content with the outcome, I am aware there has been a number of approaches to senior staff raising what appear to be very real and genuine patient safety risks, and very real and genuine staff concerns. It is imperative that patient safety and staff concerns are appropriately considered and managed.
“It is clear to me that the Trust has worked extensively over recent years to progress plans which would allow us to meet our obligations under the ‘free parking’ legislation. I would like to thank those colleagues who continue to work hard to try and find solutions to car parking issues at the Royal Hospitals site. We always knew this was not going to be an easy process and that there was not a solution which was going to satisfy everyone. However, the risks identified in progressing with the current plans, remain significant.
“Following reflection with Executive Team colleagues, I have decided to pause this process. Individuals who have previously held a car parking permit will retain their permit. Individuals who do not currently have a car parking space, but who have been granted a permit through this current process, will be contacted in the next few weeks.
“Work will proceed in respect of the scope to increase the number of available permits, the potential to provide alternative transport solutions, and the ability to reduce demand at the Royal Hospitals site. I would ask that you continue to bear with us as we work collectively to find a solution to this very challenging set of circumstances.”
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