Hospital parking charges

maimee_magic

I'd like to start a petition to stop hospitals charging for parking. Not sure where to start but thought this was a good place. My sister has been in hospital in Derby for a long time and my brother-in-law and the rest of our family have spent a small fortune in car park fees visiting her. Some haven't been as often as they'd like due to the cost of parking. In a civilised society this shouldn't be happening. It's stressful enough having to visit loved ones who are ill without the added pressure this puts on those living on a low income. This must be affecting many people and I would love to hear your opinions, suggestions etc. You never know, if enough people get involved Martin might take up the torch and run with it. Once we've got this sorted we could move on to TV and phone charges in hospitals! Love to hear peoples opinions, suggestions etc. Perhaps lottery funding could be used as I'm sure this could be classed as a good cause, visiting the sick.

Marcusp

Come to Scotland they're free, well except Ninewells in Dundee.

Optimist

If its the Royal Derby Hospital your talking about then that is a hospital built under PFI and its the company that owns/runs the hospital who gets the cash as per the contract. If you remove the charges the hospital would have to make up the difference. They are already paying excessive charges under the PFI scheme for the running and purchase of the hospital.

I fear your on to a non starter.

Edit forgot to mention the lottery is currently paying for the Olympics so doubt they will have spare cash for parking

helphelphelphelp

When my son was in hospital for a long time we were allowed to park either free or at a reduced rate, depending on which ward he was in. Personally I wouldnt mind paying the charges if the money benefitted the hospital but it goes towards the companies that operates the car parks and the hospitals get very little of the money.

Barneysmom

maimee you are absolutely right. The charges at some are daylight robbery, stealing money off folk who have enough to cope with when a loved one is in hospital.
This is something that really gets my back up, and there's no need.

we never used to have private firms controlling the parking, it was all administered by the hospital, where I guess costs were more controlled.
It's always the same when there's a middleman, things are always more expensive.

They could still have pay and display but get rid of parking companies, they are leeches.

dmg24

Each of the Derby hospitals has excellent public transport links. Is there a reason why you cannot use them?

Mupette

Find out if it is private land as opposed to public road.. and who runs the parking company..

some you can ignore to pay the machines, a ticket will be issued but not followed up.

company in north Bristol has this at Southmead and Frenchay, name begins with Q (sorry forgot the rest of the name)

I was staff at the time parking in what space was available, i was told i could pay £2 for the whole day if staff, which i did, got a ticket £10 and complained they said that they issue but can't afford to chase them up.
I left shortly after and didn't pay and have never have them chase me, for that they would need my address from DVLA which if they aren't registered they are not going to get that information.

mickbhall

Ask if they do discount for month long passes etc my hospital does wont be any good for past charges tho.

Angelic

I don't drive but think it's ridiculous that it's free in Scotland yet overcharged in England. It's not fair on people who have various hospital appointments throughout the year either.

DCFC79

Get o to your MP than posting on here OP,

iamana1ias

Angelic wrote: »

I don't drive but think it's ridiculous that it's free in Scotland yet overcharged in England. It's not fair on people who have various hospital appointments throughout the year either.

Why? That's exactly what devolution is for!