Hospital staff in bid to use patient and visitor car park

The car park can hold more than 1,000 vehicles

NHS Grampian has submitted a planning application to allow staff to use a car park which was built exclusively for patients and visitors.

The Lady Helen multi-storey at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary opened in February 2018 and was funded by the Wood Foundation to improve parking at Foresterhill.

The foundation, set up by oil tycoon Sir Ian Wood, said it supported the change of conditions.

Staff have been able to park on certain floors since the pandemic but protested last year when it appeared the temporary change was ending.

NHS Grampian has now applied to Aberdeen City Council for the permission to allow staff to park on levels 6 and above permanently.

It will continue to ensure patients and visitors are prioritised.

In the application the health board said availability of car parking was one of the most contentious issues it faced.

It also wants to introduce an automatic number plate recognition system, to clamp down on unauthorised vehicles, as well as car park patrols.

Alison MacLachlan, UK director of the Wood Foundation said its investment was designed to ensure there was "adequate parking for patients and visitors" to the Foresterhill campus.

She added: "NHS Grampian has assured us that continuing to allow staff access to the upper floors of the car park will not jeopardise this position.

"The team will continue to monitor parking levels to ensure this remains the case.”