Civil Enforcement PCN at medical centre

missysx101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160055#Comment_82160055

Is it worth appealing and just say the truth? show proof of appointment or wouldn't they consider that? Yes, I can contact the MP in the meantime. Thank you

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160130#Comment_82160130

Did you miss my advice? That's what you do. You will never pay.

missysx101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160147#Comment_82160147

Hi. Thank you for chasing it up. Is post 4 regarding the Debt collector letters and post 2 about the small claims/court. I really want to avoid ant debt letters or court. Is this their next step if we don't pay within 28 days? I am sorry if we are over panicking and not making sense. ;/

Coupon-mad

 "Is post 4 regarding the Debt collector letters and post 2 about the small claims/court?"

Yes. Of course you don't pay at all, never mind 28 days!

Ignoring the letters is easy if you decide not to pay the £20 CEL have to offer when you appeal. Done that yet?

"I really want to avoid any debt letters or court."

No you don't.

Nobody is sending you to a court hearing! It won't go that far. Trust us.

But you should appeal and NOT say 'it was the driver's fault'. Tell them their VRM screen is positively hidden. This is CEL's deliberate fault.

They will offer for you to settle at £20.

I would NOT pay that but some people would.

Please go and get some damning pics of the lack of prominence of the VRM screen. Needed for POPLA. Images from the entrance and from the waiting room seats. Not a close up. Damning wide views.

And get a pic of the P entrance sign.

And get a pic of a t&cs sign in the car park.

missysx101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160195#Comment_82160195

Hi. Thank you. I have edited the thread title. We did not park in a disabled bay. So are you suggesting we appeal and basically complain that the signage isn't adequate especially inside and indicate the VRM screen is hidden? And how does that work, do we appeal to CEL or straight to POPLA? So just to confirm we are saying there was an appointment and basically the signage wasn't clear?

GrannyKate

It looks like Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board has awarded a contract for a year (Longer contract is out to tender) for a private provider of dermatology care at various sites;

Tier 3 Community Dermatology provision, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, triage, pathway management and backlog recovery activity, to maintain continuity of clinically significant dermatology services across Greater Manchester whilst the recommenced procurement is completed. An Urgent Award has been made for Community Dermatology services to bridge the gap whilst a competitive procurement is being undertaken to ensure that patients still receive the treatment they need. This contract is for 12-months from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2027.

The practice reception do not appear to have any part in this so I guess the private provider is renting the clinic space and facilities and the cost is included in the contract price. Was there a sign saying dermatology patients this way or something. It needed to be made obvious to patients not familiar with the surgery that they needed to register on a tablet either at where the patients were checked in or on the letters sent out to patients which is an issue for the Integrated Board.

Coupon-mad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160401#Comment_82160401

Yes - use my words. It's not about the signs.

GrannyKate

These pictures from google are dated in the last year I think. There appears to be more than one reception desk and one has a parking tablet to its left the other does not. There are other screens around the place to check in for appointments. No large banner about the need to register either.

unnamed-4.jpg

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unnamed-2.jpg

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Coupon-mad

How is any stressed patient or carer at the doctor's meant to see that screen & realise it is for them to use unprompted, let alone know & be warned that it represents an onerous obligation?!

Even the bin in the second photo is more eye-catching & prominent!

And if you approach reception at the other window without a screen?

And my goodness, that sign…wordy small-print gobbledegook.

missysx101

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82160442#Comment_82160442

Hi, Can you please check if this is okay and is the 28 days from date of incident or issue date? Do you think it is worth adding that the sign in the car park is not good enough because the first thing it mentions is "GP Visitors park in numbered spaces only". So automatically you think you are fine as long as you park in the numbered spaces. Also I am going to go try visiting the practice tomorrow after work if I can make it before it closes to take pictures of the reception. However, if I don't make it can I use the google images Grannykate found and use that as an example of no display at the reception? Thank you so much!

Dear Civil Enforcement Ltd,

I am writing to formally appeal Parking Charge Notice 000relating to vehicle registration *** at ** on 8 September 2026.

I dispute this Parking Charge Notice in full.

The requirement to enter the vehicle registration number was not sufficiently or prominently communicated to motorists visiting the medical centre.

The registration/VRM screen was not sufficiently prominent or clearly identified as a mandatory requirement for patients using the car park. There was no clear and prominent signage drawing my attention to the requirement to locate the screen and enter my vehicle registration.

A patient attending a medical appointment would reasonably be focused on finding the reception and attending their appointment, particularly where they may already be stressed, anxious or concerned about their medical condition or the appointment itself.

It is unreasonable to expect a patient or carer, without clear and prominent instructions, to notice a relatively inconspicuous screen and realise that it represents a mandatory obligation to enter their vehicle registration number.

This is particularly important because this is a medical centre, rather than a conventional retail or commercial car park. Patients may be unfamiliar with the location and may be distracted or understandably concerned about their appointment. The requirement to register should therefore be communicated in a particularly clear and prominent manner.

I have photographic evidence of the reception area which indicates that there is no sufficiently prominent signage informing patients that they are required to enter their vehicle registration.

I attended the medical centre alongside my wife on 8 September 2026 for her dermatology appointment following a medical referral. I have evidence confirming my appointment/attendance.

In view of the lack of clear and prominent signage, the insufficiently prominent VRM registration screen, the circumstances of a patient attending a medical appointment, and my evidence confirming that my wife was attending a genuine dermatology appointment, I respectfully request that the Parking Charge Notice is cancelled.

If you reject this appeal, please provide me with the POPLA verification code so that I can refer the matter to independent appeal.

I look forward to your confirmation that the charge has been cancelled.