PATIENTS groups say pensioners are struggling to navigate their way around Scotland's new super-hospital.
A voluntary group that transports patients - most of whom are elderly - to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow has raised concerns about the distances older patients and visitors have to walk from the car parks to the main entrance.
Other concerns highlighted included "baffling lifts" in the 14-floor building and touch screens which are said to be difficult for young and alert patients to understand.
The group called for additional porters and more volunteers to assist elderly patients to appointments both outside and inside the building.
Maggie Urie, who runs South West Community Transport, a voluntary car scheme for patients, said: "Normally there is a drop-off point but now we have to go into the car park.
"If you are elderly, it's quite a distance to walk to the entrance. Our drivers are volunteers so they are not insured to push the wheelchairs. They then have the walk to clinics.
"We had been told there would be porters but it's not happened yet. Once they get to reception the staff are very helpful but an elderly person needs someone to take them around. It is vast."
Elderly patients arriving and leaving the hospital said their main complaint was the distance from the car parks to the entrance. However, patients and visitors said there would be no issue if you were travelling by bus - which drops people off directly outside the main entrance.
Myra Wilson, 69, from Paisley, said: "You've got to be mobile. The drop-off is shocking."
Sylvia McIvor, 74, from Paisley, said: "There is quite a walk. I think that's the biggest issue."
Dr Jean Turner, Chief Executive of Scotland Patients Association said: "It is always stressful opening a new hospital and the problems that elderly patients are facing are not immune to other hospitals.
"We have to find out what it's like for patients once they get used to the building."
A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: "The new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital has greater accessibility for both elderly and disabled patients than the three older hospitals that it replaces.
"There are numerous wheelchairs available for patients and porters are on hand to help if required. All anybody has to do is ask for help and it will be provided.
"The lift systems at the new hospitals use smart technology to get patients and visitors to the ward they want as quickly as possible.
"It is also important to point out that using the self check kiosks is purely optional and there are plenty of staff and volunteers available in the hospital to help patients and visitors find their way around and get to grips with some of the new technologies in place."
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