Nurses’ new car-park criticism countered

Press, 24 February 1987, Page 7

Nurses’ new car-park criticism countered

A complaint about the Canterbury Hospital Board’s new car-park for afternoon shift nurses has been countered by the chairman of the board, Mr Tom Grigg. In a letter to “The Press,” K. BridgmanSmith said that moving the car-park further along Hagley Avenue was irresponsible. “Not only do we have to walk across late at night by the park, but it is now more frequent that a nurse will find that her car has been stolen. The new car-park may have a gate but where does one

park if the area is full?” Mr Grigg said yesterday that the . new car-park, which was specifically reserved for the afternoon shift staff, had been designed and constructed

with safety and security features.

“It is a well-lit open area with a full view of the whole area from both Hagley Avenue and St Asaph Street. “The possibility of a car being stolen is reduced as the access chain gate is locked between 4 p.m. and 10.45 p.m.” Mr Grigg said he had not heard of any staff being unable to park because the area was full, or any reports of more cars being stolen. “Whenever possible, nurses leaving the hospital on completion of duty take responsibility for their own safety by walking to the car-park in groups. “However, a security guard and/or orderlies are available on request to escort small groups or

individuals. There could, of course, be a few minutes delay on some occasions as an escort would not always be immediately available.”