Lewis Gale Medical Center Salem Virginia Employees taking Handicapped and speciality parking spots Salem Virginia
When a business is large and expects revenue from patrons, it is expected that employees park in designated lots. Lewis Gale as a medical facility, I believe to be equal if not better that the other Hospital in the area. My problem is employees parking in areas that should be reserved for patients and visitors. This is not a new problem , but the disreguard for accessability to a parking spot ESPECIALLY for Handicapped and Oncology patients is criminal.
Lewis Gale offeres free Valet parking but waiting 20+ minutes to be able to leave your car to be parked is not acceptable. It's not the Fault of Lewis Gale, that people dont want to be running in all kinds of weather to park and retreive cars all days, but when handicapped it is often the only option.
When I was in need to Oncology services (often monthly and sometimes daily) there were normally ample parking spots set aside for us if not at the front, there were some in the back . NOW all of those spots in the back of the hospital have been given to Physicians.
Just as disturbing if not more so, the handicapped spots in the back of the hospital, would be taken by employees as would at least 4 spots in front of the hospital. I know this because I saw them always in the same spots . Some employees also parked in Oncology and Official Lewis -Gale trucks would occupy the oncology spots.
I am not Saying handicapped employees should not have access to parking, but WHY do they have to occupy a large percentage of the few spots Lewis Gale has ?
Lewis Gale says they are starting to tow/ticket visitors and patients who park in Oncology spots unless they display a special parking pass. That's great, but how about making every employee have a sticker or signage that MUST be displayed and if they park outside of their assigned parking THEY have to pay a fine or be towed.
Lewis-Gale needs to either build a parking garage for it's employees and make sure there are ample spots for the handicapped employees. That way, more spots will be available for those comming to this facility.