Thunder Bay hospital cracks down on waiting vehicles

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre says it's trying to come up with an easier wayfor people to pick up and drop offpatients.

The hospital recently started cracking down on cars sitting in the driveway at its main entrance because it's a fire route. Drivers must now park in the lot, walk over to the hospital and ask for the patient they're picking up, then go back to get their car.

Harry Chapman said he found out about the new process when he had to pick up his brother from day surgery.

It was totally ridiculous. They're forgetting about the aging population, he said. I have my own issues that make it difficult to get around. I have arthritis. I have an artificial hip. So it's difficult for me to walk to the hospital, go back to the car, get the car, [and] come back to the hospital."

Hospital executive vice-president Peter Myllymaa noted the area that's typically been used for drop-off and pick-up of patients is actually a fire lane.

Myllymaa said the hospital sympathizes with people like Chapman, and is trying to come up with a solution that will satisfy patients, their families, and the fire department.