Building work underway at the Western General Hospital will enhance the care and treatment of patients by providing high quality services in improved physical environments.
These are exciting times for the Western General’s patients and staff, but they also pose challenges, such as reduced on-site parking. We will continue to do all we can to keep disruption on the WGH site to a minimum.
The next phase of development works on the Western General Hospital site, for both the new Renal Dialysis Unit and the Infrastructure projects, brings the first reduction in patient parking spaces.
Car park 4D and some of car park 3 will close this weekend (TODAY, 9th November) resulting in a loss of approximately 23 spaces.
This loss will be partially mitigated by the re-opening of car park 4C (16 spaces) and by some staff who have been relocated to offsite spaces to help reduce the overall strain on parking on the site.
Patients who would usually park in car parks 3 and 4D will be re-directed by parking attendants on site to available spaces.
Patients are reminded to allow extra time to park, bring their appointment cards with them and to tell parking attendants of any mobility issues. Our car parking staff will do their very best to help.
For patients who are willing and able to use public transport, we continue to recommend travelling to the Western General by bus.
To ease the strain on parking and to maintain a balance of patient and staff parking, some staff with parking permits have been moved to offsite spaces. A temporary staff car park has been opened on the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital, with entry controlled by a pass system.
Our staff are asked to continue to respect the parking on site which is made available to patients and to respect our neighbours by parking in a responsible manner.
Note:
- Car parks 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 are designated for patient use
- Car park 12 and when available 6, are for staff who meet the criteria for a parking pass.
There are a few unrestricted spaces near the end of the Western General’s “D” block and hospital main drive. Please do not park in spaces identified for disabled people without displaying a blue badge; these spaces are for blue badge holders only.
There are some areas of on-street parking available in the surrounding area; some are charged for by the City of Edinburgh Council, others are not. Spaces are also available in Morrisons Supermarket car park, for staff who meet the criteria.
We will look, where possible, to restrict contractor parking to ease the impact on staff and patients.
NHS Lothian continues to invest in sustainable travel through secure bike shelters, Just Eat bikes and bus pass and other cash advance schemes.
We appreciate the understanding and support of staff, patients and visitors during these challenging times and ask everyone to consider – where possible – alternatives to the car when coming to the Western General in order to minimise traffic on site.
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What about the staff respecting the residents in the areas around the hospital, by not parking on pavements on on grassy areas that the residents have to pay for.