By Steven Bell

LOITERING JUNKIES and thieves have left nursing staff using the car parks at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee fearing for their safety, it was claimed yesterday.

One nurse predicted concerns would increase with the introduction of new parking arrangements that will force them to use spaces further from the hospital.

A weekend incident at the site, which left a member of staff in a state of shock, has been described as an isolated case by hospital bosses. It is understood that there have been only two similar incidents in recent years, both of which resulted in arrests by the police.

The bosses also pointed out that staff members are offered escorts to their vehicles after shifts in the hours of darkness, and that the car parks have received awards for their security measures.

However, a nurse said she and colleagues felt visitor convenience was being given priority over staff safety.

“There are a lot of drug users hanging around, people coming from A&E and asking for money,” said the nurse, who asked not to be named.

“It’s not safe, and I know I’m far from the only person who thinks like that. One of the nurses is starting a petition about it.”

The nurse added, “With these new arrangements they are making all the staff park in the furthest car parks so visitors can get the ones nearer the hospital. We are being told that we will be able to use the closer ones at night, but we have seen that people are being attacked in the daytime as well.”

She said shift patterns meant that nurses were often unable to go back to their cars in groups after work. “We feel we have the right to park in the first car park. We pay our money, we are using it every day, and I think it’s something they should look at again.”

A variable charging system has been introduced in car parks five and six—the two closest to the hospital—although staff can use the two car parks for a flat charge of £1.50 between 6pm and 8am.

Management has made no secret of the fact that one of the motives behind the changes is ensuring the spaces nearest the hospital entrance go to patients and visitors.

Site manager Brian Main said, “I’m not making any excuses for that—but it doesn’t mean to say that we don’t care for our staff.

“In fact that’s totally untrue, because we do all that we can to make sure staff are safe and secure going to and from their cars.

“We are very highly set up in terms of safety and security, and this includes detailed surveillance by CCTV. The car parks have been awarded a Park Mark award by Tayside Police.

“Over and above that we offer an escort service for staff in the hours of darkness, so they can be met after their shift by a member of the car park staff and taken up to their car.”

Robin Hunter, of public service union Unison, said, “There has been, at all stages, a notable lack of consultation by the health board about the changes.

“Safety in the car parks is something that we do try to keep an eye on, and in the near future we will be keeping a close eye on what happens.”