Hospital car park needs adequate signage

The solution is a simple and an inexpensive one.

1. On the way down to the lot a prominent sign at the entrance of each level.
2. Divide each level into zones.
3. All signage including directions to be in bold letters and overhead. The present yellow direction signs on the floor are already almost invisible.
4. On the spot where the tickets are collected a notice should be put to anticipate visitors that they will need to pay before picking up the car from the parking lot. Some visitors are unaware that they cannot pay at the gate on the way out and funny situations have been caused because of that.
5. The visitors will then jot down the level and zone number on their ticket and everybody is content.
6. Street signs outside the hospital are practically inexistent.
7. The Olympia and airport car park are good examples of what proper signage is all about.

This is part of a long letter I sent 7 months ago and what I received in reply a few days later.

Sent: 24 March 2008 11:10
To: Info at MDH
Subject: Complaint

Hi,
I'm very sorry that I have to write this letter of complaint but there are certain points that I feel have to be brought to the attention of the competent authorities.

1. Visitors Car Park

First of all, the visitors car park needs to have the aisles numbered so that one does not spend long trying to locate one's car after the hospital visit.

The location of the lift/stairwell needs to be signposted a lot better and more frequently.

Sincerely,

Patricia Mifsud

----- Original Message -----
From: Info at MDH
To: Pat Mifsud
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2008 11:52 AM
Subject: RE: Complaint

Dear Ms Mifsud
Please note that your very valid suggestions are being looked into.

Thanks and Regards
Joe Schembri
Manager Customer Care Services
Mater Dei Hospital
Malta

Just to let you know that there is a direct bus service from all termini including Mellieha to the hospital; not only is this the only bus service you can actually rely on to turn up, but it would have saved the worry of looking for a car parking space, saved a bit of congestion as well as saved you a bit of money.

@ Vinve Cachia. Believe you in me I have the memory of an elephant. If you’re happy with the present signage it’s OK by me. I only tried to be constructive and I got abuse. I don’t give a s*^t anyway. Pity I'm not allowed to tell you what I think of your attitude.

I am totally in agreement with Mr Galea. Although small signs indicate which floor you're in, the park itself is huge and it is easy to forget where you have left your car, especially if you arrive in distress. The columns should have a colour scheme or simply numbered to assist in quick identification. And signs of any sort should be large enough to be seen from a distance; even inside the hospital and on the ring-road. The Emergency Dept should be signed prominently from every direction you could be coming. Too much attention has been given to aesthetics at the expense of reality. Loss of minutes could be fatal. I fully agree with the complaint.

I agree that the carpark needs signage. Also the lift to access the carpark from the hospital should be clearly indicated.

Criticism accepted,

It needs a few more signs, more white lines to identify the curbs and move the cars on -1 to level -4 giving the visitors who do not use the car park as often priority,

but, saying all this, this is still one the best accessible indoor car parks anywhere........

What if a person is absent minded, or suffering from dementia or amnesia......or maybe going to visit an ill relative and being very worried about them, forgot where they had put their car. Mr Cachia, your comment was very judgmental and insensitive!

It would have been a good idea if the walls of every floor/storey had been painted in a different colour to serve as a visual aid, like other big parking areas abroad do.

May I point out that all floors are marked with their level number.One can see them as soon as one exits the lifts. One has to be very absent minded to forget where he left his car!!!

AGREE, yes I certainly do!

Another point. Why is the first gound car-park level RESERVED, AND FOR WHOM?

If for the hospital staff, well, depending who they are, and, even so, if they are all that important, then they should be moved to the LOWER level of the Car-park, especially if they are not paying any fees.

Yes please. Do insert zone letters and parking box numbers. All the drivers who park there have a lot on their minds already to be expected to memorise the details of the various levels.

I agree with you that all areas in a carpark should be correctly signed.
It would also be a good idea if a floor map is placed at every exit from the lifts.
While we are on the subject of Mater Dei , I would like to point out that it is very difficult to get to Mater Dei from anywhere in Malta if you are a tourist and do not find any Road Signs which direct you to the only Hospital in Malta.
If you follow the Road signs you end up at St Lukes !!!!!!!!!