Agenda item

PARKING PROPOSALS - PLYMOUTH NHS HOSPITALS TRUST

The panel will receive a report on proposed changes to parking provision at Derriford Hospital.

Minutes:

Lesley Darke (PHNT) introduced a report on the proposed changes to parking at Derriford hospital. It was reported that –

 

(a)   the current car park contract had been in place for 15 years. PHNT had been in the process of renegotiating the contract and making changes to address issues that had been highlighted by consultees including the Plymouth LINk;

 

(b)   as a result of changes to the contract there would be a net increase in spaces and disabled bays with a more robust approach to car park management including changes to signage, permits and access control;

 

(c)    to support the changes the trust planned to increase the use of staff park and ride schemes;

 

(d)   parking proposals included a visible parking officer, increased advertising of concessionary rates and pay on foot where visitors to the hospital would make payments on exit. In order to achieve this there would be an increased number of automatic barriers in the car parks.

 

(e)   the new contract would commence on the 1 January 2012 and would last seven to ten years. The new multi-storey car park would form part of the car parking solution at Derriford;

 

(f)     the trust had been working hard to bring improvements whilst keeping car parking charges at current levels. To achieve this the current period of 45 minutes of free drop off time would be reduced to 15 minutes;

 

(g)   the trust had consulted the disabled users forum on whether charges for disabled parking would be acceptable, in response the forum had stated that it would not object to charges for disabled users if the charges reflected increased and appropriate provision for disabled visitors.

 

In response to questions from members of the panel it was reported that –

 

(h)   the free drop off period was not intended to be used as a period of free parking for all visitors to the hospital and had been heavily abused. The trust were balancing costs and the reduction in the free drop off period would ensure that fund were not diverted to parking from frontline service provision;

 

(i)     the changes to the lay out of the car park, along with greater access control and pick up / set down points at key access points to the hospital would ensure that the collection / drop off of patients would be possible in the 15 minute timescale

 

(j)     the new contract included clauses which ensure issues around performance and changes would be tackled in partnership between the trust and the successful bidder;

 

(k)    the multi-storey car park would be completed in 2013.

 

Members of the panel accepted that changes were required at Derriford to ensure parking provision was fit for purpose, however some members remained concerned that 15 minutes was not long enough to collect or drop off patients at the hospital.

 

Agreed that –

 

(1)   the panel recommends to the cabinet member for transport that the facilities at the Derriford Hospital bus interchange are upgraded to include an increased number of shelters and benches;

 

(2)   the panel recommends to the cabinet member for transport increased marketing and advertising activity is undertaken with regard to the George park and ride;

 

(3)   PHNT provides real time public transport information in the hospital foyer/reception;

 

(4)   PHNT are requested to ensure that car parking concessions are clearly publicised throughout the Derriford hospital site;

 

(5)   further work is carried out by PHNT on the discharge process for patients to ensure that collection is possible in 15 minutes.

 

Supporting documents: