Chaos at the new entrance to Rikshospitalet

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The dramatic consequences of the New Oslo University Hospital (OUS) project are many. The main entrance to Rikshospitalet, the country’s most important specialist hospital, has been moved. Traffic is directed to a new entrance on the long side of the hospital.

Signage is poor. Chaos reigns. Walkers, wheelchairs and prams fight for space between Patient Travel, taxis and private cars. They must deliver and pick up patients. Dangerous traffic situations occur.

The area has a narrow driveway and a small roundabout. Cars are close. More in width. Some cross the roundabout to get out. It is impossible to park to follow and pick up patients. The entrance is below ground level, down a steep hill. It is difficult for wheelchair users and people in poor shape, of which there are most in a hospital.

The entrance area lacks a roof and protection against rain and snow. There are only “good weather benches”. Chaos reigns around an unfinished car park, with too few spaces. Equally, guards have issued fees! However, “hundreds” of new bike racks are ready. Is the idea that patients, relatives, employees, students and goods delivery will now get around on two wheels?

In the cold and snow, we have met frozen patients outside the entrance. They scout for transport home. Waiting time more than one hour! The traffic is down to Ringveien.

The main problem is that there is only one way up to Rikshospitalet, and that the chaotic conditions around the new main entrance create queues. The weather can of course worsen. A patient from the local area spent an hour and a half from home, compared to the normal five minutes, when it snowed at its worst. The distance to the tram is greater, not patient-friendly with a busy and narrow road, with no pavement along the hospital side, an area which is now also a dangerous construction site.

We are calling for proper access to Rikshospitalet.

Anne Østgaard, Turid Cordtsen, Tone Øiern, Thorvald Steen and Inger Ljøstad (leader), Oslo patient association