Poorly parked at the hospital: Why Son Espases has become a daily parking lottery

Blocked corridors, stressed visitors: The situation at Son Espases

Anyone who has to go to the University Hospital Son Espases this week in the late morning knows the game: finding a parking space is a matter of luck. In the underground car park on level -1, cars are parked so crookedly that other cars can hardly enter or exit. Usually it’s large SUVs that cover two markings—or are standing so close to the line that you fear scratching the car door when getting out.

Photos, videos and an annoyed beep

Several visitors have sent me photos and short videos: a car parked crosswise, another sticking out too far, a third so close to the post that an ambulance would hardly pass. An older man who waited yesterday at 09:15 at the entrance said, half joking, half seriously: 'I’d rather park two streets away and walk — than lose my nerves here.' You hear such statements often when queues form and more people urgently need to get into the building.

What the hospital says

Patient services, according to those affected, say that this is public, freely accessible parking. There is no license-plate registration, they say, and thus hardly any way to target illegally parked drivers. Sounds bureaucratic—and frustrating when you have an appointment at the hospital and every minute counts.

Police: Intervention is difficult

Local police also seem to be left empty-handed according to feedback from those waiting. If a car ‘only’ occupies two spaces, it is not always considered an offense legally. In short: towing or parking tickets are not enforceable in every case. For those affected, that’s little consolation.

A bigger problem in Palma

The parking drama affects not only Son Espases. Those who live in Santa Catalina or El Terreno know the constant circling until a rescue gap opens. On rainy days it gets even worse — garages fill up, access roads slow down, and moods sour. Some residents are seriously considering whether a fixed parking space is cheaper in the long run than daily stress.

What could help: clearer floor markings, short information signs at the entrance and exit, more presence during peak times, or an awareness campaign for consideration. Cameras for evidence would be another topic — not legally straightforward, but practical.

In the end it's about more than a few centimeters to the right or left. If rescue routes are blocked or older people have trouble getting in and out, it's not a cavalier offense. A small appeal to everyone: next time, think five seconds longer whether the space really fits. It saves trouble — and maybe a few nerves in the waiting room.