Milton Keynes Hospital staff slam their chief executive over parking row

Two sources, an Accident and Emergency porter and a receptionist, have told the Citizen about the dire parking situation.

Last month the hospital announced that it would begin building a new ward, placed on one of the existing car parks.

Whilst construction for the new ward takes place, staff can be waiting for two hours to find somewhere to park.

SEE MORE: Milton Keynes Hospital to build new wardA&E porter Richard, said: “I drove around for two hours trying to find a space, but there’s just no room.

“People are dreading going to work, just because of parking, it’s ridiculous.”

Staff at the hospital have a percentage of their wage deducted to guarantee parking, however it has been claimed that this will increase to fund a new car park, to replace the one being built on.

Richard, who has worked at the hospital for 11 years, added: “Our chief executive doesn’t give a monkeys, we understand patients need to park but if staff can’t get to work then the whole thing fails.

“It has never been this bad before.”

A receptionist at the hospital, who wanted remain anonymous, said: “We have been told that we must be willing to arrive at work an hour early to get a parking space, and those who live within five miles should get public transport in.

“Otherwise it is tough, and we won’t be able to park - it’s just not good enough.

“But it is not surprising that the chief executive Joe Harrison has his own designated parking spot and doesn’t have to search round for 40 minutes.”

John Blakesley, deputy chief executive at the hospital, said: “Parking at Milton Keynes University Hospital is significantly better than at very many other hospitals locally and across the country.

“We recognise that in building and developing new services and facilities on site for patients and increasing the number of doctors and nurses working at the hospital, parking on site has become more difficult for staff at certain times of the day.

“We are working to increase the number of staff car parking spaces available at the back of the hospital.

“This, along with the planned move of non-clinical support staff to office facilities off the main hospital site will help to improve the situation.

“As work continues to develop at the hospital, we will consult more widely with staff and local people about how best to use our car parks to try to meet the needs of all who use them.”