Hospital visit just cost us £30

Anniek1969 · 10 March 2006 at 11:23AM

My husband went to visit his mum in hospital yesterday, she collapsed on Monday and hit her head.

They've been running different tests as she's went a bit funny and been totally out of character. Anyway on the way out the nurse stopped him and said the doctor wanted to speak to him.

He went into the office and waited about 10 mins to see the doctor only to be asked if she was normally like this (already told the doctor the day before that she wasn't acting like her normal self) and that they think she may have a urinary tract infection but they had more tests to do.

Got back to the car 15mins late and had a parking ticket. So angry, he would have been back in plenty of time if the doctor hadn't wanted to see him. Wouldn't mind if the doctor had some news about her condition but it was just to ask the same questions they'd already asked him the day before. Not only the parking ticket but he was late in picking up our daughter from school too.

Got youngest daughters birthday in 2 weeks so really can't aford to have to pay our £30 on a parking ticket.

Some days you just want to scream!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

Little_Miss_Winner · 10 March 2006 at 12:58PM

Hiya,

Have you rang the hospital, if not, give them a call, and speak to someone in the car park dept. You never know, you might just get lucky if you explain, worth a try?

Good Luck!
pot
x

Anniek1969 · 10 March 2006 at 1:16PM

Hi,

No it was issued by the local council, he was parked on the main road just outside the hospital where you can park for 30 mins at a time. He was already late for the visiting and couldn't get parked in the hospital (parking's always really bad in the hospital, tiny car park for large hospital) should have been back with 5 mins to spare if the doctor hadn't asked to see him.

Will write to the council and give them the details of his mums ward etc but don't think it'll make any difference, but it's worth a try.

ethansmum · 10 March 2006 at 2:23PM

I know its difficult but next time try to get a hospital car parking space.

When I went into labour with my child I was told to put a couple of hours worth in the meter (about £1.50) and to leave a message on the dashboard to say that I was in Labour and it could take awhile. We did this with no problems. Then after baby was born he needed to go into the child unit for testing (they couldn't say how long it would take), again we were told to put in a minimum amount with a message to say when the appointment was and that it was at the assessment unit. That took all day for a couple of weeks, and we never had any fines or hassle.

LondonDiva · 10 March 2006 at 2:42PM

So it wasn't the hospital's fault, but because you overstayed at a council parking spot?

Anniek1969 · 10 March 2006 at 3:17PM

It was on the main road outside the hospital where they parking bays allow you to park for up to 30 mins, as there was only about 20mins left of the visiting and he had to leave early anyway to pick our daughter up, he was just popping in to see how she was and the doctor asked him if he could have a word with him. This kept him 15min over his 30mins and also late for my daughter, he had to phone the school to tell him he'd be late so she wouldn't panic.

He wishes he hadn't bothered now and just waited until the night time visit.

IvanOpinion · 10 March 2006 at 5:18PM

I think that is just one of those '!!!!!! happens' moments. Is there anyway that you could contest the ticket with the council .. I doubt it.

Hope your MIL gets better

ivan

Anniek1969 · 10 March 2006 at 5:28PM

Going to try and see if the council will let him off, give them the hospital details and see what happens but I doubt we'll get anywhere.

Think it is just one of those moments, he's been driving for 20 years and this is only his 2nd parking ticket which is why it's so annoying because he's usually so careful about where he parks.

tipsychick · 10 March 2006 at 5:38PM

I would get the doctor to write a letter saying that he detained your husband in order to speak to him about his mother. I think most doctors would do this. The council will probably accept that your husband was unable to return to his car as a result, particularly if he was parked in a bay just outside the hospital.

Has to be worth a go, surely?

black-saturn · 10 March 2006 at 5:41PM

Sorry to hear your news.

For the sake of a price of a stamp I would write to the council and tell them the situation. You never know they might let you off.

UKays_Finest · 10 March 2006 at 5:42PM

Er Anniek,

I think your being slightly unfair.

Doctors, by the very nature of their job, have be absolutely clear about the condition they're dealing with. I'd hate to think of the consequences, should they get the diagnosis wrong for a serious condition, which could have been avoided by simply restating some facts. If that involves asking the same questions and re-iterating the points, then so be it. Unless of course, you value money more over a person's life or well being.

I'm sure you're aware that Doctors are stressed at the best of times which may cause them to forget certain things. After all, they aren't only dealing with one patient at a time.

I don't mean to sound harsh or belligerent, but merely trying to the 'put the otherside' as it were.

Hope you MIL gets better soon.

Hospital visit just cost us £30

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