Support with Parking Eye appeal @ NHS Hospital [UPDATE - Charge cancelled]

Otter7865

UPDATE - Charge has been cancelled.

Thanks to all those who supported! :-)



Hi all

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this :-)


I'm looking for support on how best to appeal to the NHS, as the landowners of the parking I have received a charge for.


Before I start, I wanted to confirm I've done some research on here with similar cases, and have read the newbies thread, but apologies in advance if I've missed anything - I have a lot going on at the moment.

I will try to keep this as vague as possible, but if I miss anything crucial, let me know.


My username is completely random.




Situation:

Received a parking charge at the beginning of this month.

Reason: parking on a staff level of a car park.


Charge: £70, £40 if paid early.


4 hours free if you register, a further 2 if you register again. It is NOT paid parking. You just have to register your car (which I did, twice).

Staff need to register their car.




Some context:

I was taking a family member, who is a staff member (and does not drive - their husband usually takes them, but they passed away in Jan), for an AM appointment. This went fine. We were told we needed to come back for an urgent appointment approx 5 hours later to have surgery. 


When we came back, the hospital was exceptionally busy (it wasn't in the morning, though it usually is). We gave ourselves 20 minutes to find a space and get to the appointment.


When we came back, we drove around for 15 minutes trying to find a space, until I suggested I drop them off and find a space myself so they don't miss their appointment.


I managed to find a space on one of the levels of the multi story, parked and ran to the appointment as quick as possible. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it in time, and they had already gone in. I then registered my car again, and have the receipt for this.


Since receiving the charge through the post, I have been informed I parked on a staff level, not a patient level.


I could not say for sure if this was clearly sign posted as I was in a rush, but I will say that I did not notice any signs. Upon checking (on Google Maps), it seems as though on the outside of the building, there's a small white sign on the wall by the entrance, somewhat hidden by other signs in front of it, that several levels are for staff (not sure if it says ONLY - can't see it properly).





Plan:

From what I understand, the best thing to do is dispute it to the land owners (NHS) via PALS and Concerns teams.


What information should and shouldn't I include in here?

I'm aware of the parking principles on government website (can't post the link)


Thanks in advance, and apologies again if I've missed anything :-)

Coupon-mad

I think just say exactly what you told us and don't hide who was driving.  

ParkingEye we assume?

Otter7865

Coupon-mad said:

I think just say exactly what you told us and don't hide who was driving.  

ParkingEye we assume?

Correct

Fruitcake

You have got the gist of things. Well done on doing your research first; it greatly helps the regulars here.

Start with a complaint to PALS and the CEO/head of the trust. State that an occupant of the car/the passenger is a member of staff. Include their staff ID/employee number. Point out that Their illness/critical condition prevented them from registering the vehicle, and since this would be personal data to which you would not be allowed to have access, you could not register on their behalf. 
That caused a frustration of contract. There should be a system in place for staff to retro register for parking.

The staff member should get their union involved if they are a member. 

Yes, remind the hospital of the government's parking principles.

Complain to your MP.

If a cancellation is not forthcoming, then appeal using the template in blue text from the NEWBIES, but add that a passenger is a member of staff but was unable to register the vehicle at the time, causing a frustration of contract.

You might also want to contact local and/or local press to show how hospital staff and patients are being treated. It's no wonder some of them are going on strike.

Otter7865

Fruitcake said:

You have got the gist of things. Well done on doing your research first; it greatly helps the regulars here.

Start with a complaint to PALS and the CEO/head of the trust. State that an occupant of the car/the passenger is a member of staff. Include their staff ID/employee number. Point out that Their illness/critical condition prevented them from registering the vehicle, and since this would be personal data to which you would not be allowed to have access, you could not register on their behalf. 
That caused a frustration of contract. There should be a system in place for staff to retro register for parking.

The staff member should get their union involved if they are a member. 

Yes, remind the hospital of the government's parking principles.

Complain to your MP.

If a cancellation is not forthcoming, then appeal using the template in blue text from the NEWBIES, but add that a passenger is a member of staff but was unable to register the vehicle at the time, causing a frustration of contract.

You might also want to contact local and/or local press to show how hospital staff and patients are being treated. It's no wonder some of them are going on strike.

Thank you for your detailed response, it's greatly appreciated 

Otter7865

Hi all

Wanted to update this.


The NHS got back to me a while ago with the following:


---

I have contacted my colleagues in the Estates Department who have replied with the following:

‘Good Morning

We have now appealed this parking charge on their behalf, ParkingEye will contact the registered vehicle owner in the coming weeks via letter to confirm if our appeal was successful’ 

Thanks

---

I've not heard back from Parking Eye about it being appealed, other than reminders that I have to make a payment. They've not said the appeal was successful or not. 

I don't see why the appeal should be successful, because if the NHS has asked for it to be cancelled, should it not just be cancelled?

Not sure where I should go from here, as it sounds as though the NHS are happy to cancel the charge. Hence, in my opinion, it should not be valid.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Coupon-mad

Forward the NHS email to ParkingEye and ask.

Otter7865

Coupon-mad said:

Forward the NHS email to ParkingEye and ask.

Can't find an email for ParkingEye. I only get the chance to submit an appeal online, where it asks if I'm the driver etc - just cautious on how to proceed

B789

Sounds like a fob off from someone in the Estates Department. Who from the NHS, got back to you?

Otter7865

B789 said:

Sounds like a fob off from someone in the Estates Department. Who from the NHS, got back to you?

This was a conversation with the concerns team

Otter7865

Also, I found an email address for parking eye

I will forward the email and wait to hear back.