Improving the parking experience at Borders General Hospital
Parking at the BGH continues to be free.
You must park in the correct parking spaces to ensure everyone's safety and access.
Leave adequate time to find a space, especially during busier times, such as visiting times.
If possible check where you can park before visiting the hospital.
Consider alternative transport when possible.
How do I park correctly?
Vehicles must be parked in the designated parking spaces. Incorrect parking includes parking on double yellow lines, hatched areas, painted chevrons, access roads, ambulance bays, pavements, grassed or landscaped areas and reserved bays.
What impact does parking incorrectly have on others?
Parking incorrectly poses a risk to others.
What changes have been introduced?
There is designated SHORT STAY (max 4 hours) and LONG STAY parking (see map) making parking spaces closer to the hospital more accessible.
Why have changes been introduced?
NHS Borders has a responsibility to provide safe parking for Hospital Users. The changes made will make the free parking more accessible to patients, visitors and staff.
I have an appointment. How will I know where to park?
Clearly marked signs for LONG STAY and SHORT STAY (MAX 4 HOURS) will direct you to where you should park.
Disabled badge holder?
If you are a registered disabled badge holder and you display your valid badge, you can park in the designated disabled spaces.Time restrictions still apply to disabled badge holders.
Frequently asked questions
1. Where will I be able to park?
Car parks 1 & 2 will be designated short stay car parks. You will be able to park in there for up to 4 hours. The other car parks will not be subject to time restrictions. All car parks will remain available to both staff and patients.
2. What happens if there are no spaces available?
NHS Borders cannot guarantee available car parking at all times, especially during busier times between Mondays to Fridays. We continue to encourage both staff and patients to find alternative transport to the BGH whenever possible. We recommend you allow plenty of time when visiting the BGH.
3. Why are you introducing this when we all know that there are inadequate numbers of car parking spaces at the BGH?
Car parking on the BGH site has seen an increase in demand over recent years in line with the additional number of patients who are seen in Out Patient department or at the Day Hospital. With the redesign of Car parks 1 & 2 we are already utilising the space we have for the highest number of cars possible, and it is still suggested that there is inadequate parking available.
One of the main reasons for these changes is to improve the safety for our patients and staff using the car park. One of the changes being introduced: creating a short stay car park will improve the availability of spaces close to the main hospital entrance. These changes should encourage those who know they will be at the BGH for more than 4 hours to use the further away car parks.
4. How are you to know if a car parked in Car Park 1 & 2 belongs to a member of the public or member of staff?
Car Parks 1 & 2 will be designated short stay car parks for all. There is no requirement for us to know if the car belongs to staff or patients.
5. How will patients know if they are going to be less or longer than 4 hours?
Patients are advised to judge how long their visit might be, depending on the type of appointment they might be attending. There is no definite answer on this; however surveys have been carried out as part of the implementation plan for these changes. These surveys identified the majority of short term parking at the BGH is less than 3 hours. The short stay car parking will be set at a 4 hour limit so on most occasions this will allow for unexpected delays. If a patient expects to be more than 4 hours, they should be advised to park their vehicle within one of the long stay car parks.
6. I am a member of staff, what happens in an emergency if I am called into work, and am unable to park correctly?
In exceptional circumstances it may be necessary to leave a vehicle within an area out with a designated car parking space. Every effort should be made to relocate the vehicle, as soon as possible thereafter.
7. How can you stop me coming out and moving my car after 4 hours?
Car parks 1 & 2 will be designated short stay. All staff will be allowed to park there as long as their cars are moved to another car park before the maximum time of 4 hours.
8. What happens if I am late for work because I have been unable to park?
Car parks 1 & 2 will be designated short stay. Staff are allowed to use these for up to 4 hours. Staff are reminded that it is their responsibly to be at work, ready to start at their contracted starting time. This is the case whether you use alternative transport or use the car parking facilities. Alternative transport is available at www.travelscotland.com.
9. If I was going to the BGH for a meeting can I park in Car Park 1 & 2?
See question 1.
Please contact:
BGH General Services
(t) 01896 826060