Natalie Don MSP is welcoming a review of parking places for Maternity Unit patients at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH), after raising deep concerns about the uphill challenges currently facing mothers-to-be.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West asked NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to consider the unacceptable situation of pregnant women presently being expected to walk up a big hill in the hospital’s main car park due to parking provision not being secured for patients immediately outside the maternity wards.
In the health board’s response, the MSP was advised that the limited parking bays at the Maternity Unit, with the exception of two spaces allocated for disabled motorists, will be reviewed and re-provided for maternity patients, where possible, at the earliest opportunity.
Natalie Don MSP said, “I am thankful that the health board took heed of my concerns and will re-allocate spaces to allow pregnant women to access the parking facilities at the maternity unit.
“It is simply unacceptable that women who are attending antenatal appointments or going into labour, currently have no access to parking facilities at the unit, especially at a time when, due to COVID-19 restrictions, many women are expected to attend appointments on their own.
“Although I appreciate the offer of sincere apologies for the difficulties and distress experienced by my constituents trying to access parking close to the RAH Maternity Unit, this does still remain a problem for women in Renfrewshire accessing the hospital via public transport or foot. I will therefore continue to seek further solutions to this for all women, in the future.
“No woman should be forced to walk up this hill to access maternity services while they are pregnant.”