Dozens of frustrated visitors to the Garroch Loaning new-build drove round and round and then parked wherever they could in a bid to secure a place in time for appointments and visiting.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway say it is a temporary situation and was being caused by a significant number of contractors and additional staff who were on the site to support the opening of the new state-of-the-art hospital.
South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has written to NHS Dumfries and Galloway urging them to take swift action to cure the parking problems.
And now staff at the new facility are being urged to use public transport or car-share. Employees are also being redirected back to the car parks at the old hospital car – newly named the Mountainhall Treatment Centre – where buses then take them over to the new site.
A spokesman for NHS Dumfries and Galloway said: “When fully complete there will be the same number of car parking spaces in comparison to the old hospital (980).
“The number of car parking spaces is derived by Dumfries and Galloway council guidelines.
“NHS Dumfries and Galloway believe this is a temporary situation. This is due to a significant number of contractors and additional staff who are on site to support us in the first weeks of the hospital being fully operational.”
He added: “We have taken all steps to encourage our staff to help with this short term parking issue. We will continue to review the situation in the coming days.”
Meanwhile, Mr Smyth said staff and visitors had highlighted the parking shortage and concerns about having to park on nearby roads, including those with a 60 mph speed limit, as well as in local businesses’ car parks.
He said: “There was always going to be some teething trouble with such a huge move. However, it seems a major oversight not to have taken into account the fact that contractors would still be on site when the new hospital opened, putting pressure on car parking.
“We need to see short term action, such as contractors bussing in staff until the work is completed. But there is also a need for a long-term review.”
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