A Plaid Cymru AM has received assurances over the availability of disabled parking at Royal Glamorgan Hospital, after a Pontypridd constituent complained of disruption during the introduction of a new scanner.
Plaid Cymru Regional Assembly Member Chris Franks, who represents Rhondda Cynon Taf, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan said: “I welcome the continued investment by the Plaid driven government at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. Plaid strongly supported improvements to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. The mobile MRI unit was put in place to support radio-diagnostic services at Royal Glamorgan Hospital during the upgrade of the department and the replacement of the existing MRI scanner. The £1 million renewal will improve the quality of care for patients in the future. It is hoped that the work will be completed by the end of the month and the mobile scanner will then be removed
In the next few years we need an ambitious Welsh government to get on with the job of improving our hospitals. My constituent who is a disabled person found it difficult to park because of the mobile MRI unit was placed on the disabled parking spaces next to the out-patient department. It is important that steps are taken so Welsh health services are accessible to all and remain patient-centred. The cuts by the Tory-led government in Westminster will hit our public services, so I’m pleased that we have been able to ensure this investment this year.”
The Chief Executive of Cwm Taf Health Board, Alison Williams outlined the steps that have been taken by the health board to ensure that disabled parking is sufficient. The provision of enough disabled car parking spaces is seen as a priority by the health board, even with the temporary removal of parking spaces.
In a letter to the Plaid AM she said: “The Health Board anticipated that the use of the spaces in question may result in an inconvenience to disabled drivers accessing services. Therefore, arrangements were put in place to provide additional support during this period. Signage has been erected detailing the contact number of the car parking attendants who are available to advise of any alternative parking arrangements.
“It has been agreed with the car parking contractor that the parking enforcement policy will be relaxed for this area of our car parks for the period that the MRI scanner is in situ. Therefore any vehicle parked safely, as not to obstruct traffic flow and out of designated parking bays in this area, who is displaying a blue badge and a valid pay and display ticket will not receive a penalty charge notice.”
