Hospital PCN, now with debt collectors

Zoe_smith

Hi

I was hoping if someone can help me. I had a hospital appointment and was looking for parking for around 30 mins. I was late for my appointment in the end. I finally found parking in the multi storey. I have a blue badge and parked in a blue badge bay. I paid for the parking as it was easier to pay than try and claim free parking through my badge. I am sure there was no signs saying staff parking but I could be wrong as I was so flustered by the time I found parking. Anyways I received a PCN stating I had parked in staff blue badge level of multi storey.

I wrote an appeal to PALS who informed me that they do not deal with parking and forwarded my email to the parking team.

I never heard anything for quite some time until I received a debt collectors letter. I contacted PALS again who informed me that the parking had responded to them but did not include me in the response so I had no idea. So now it's gone to debt collectors the appeal time frame has passed. I have tried to explain what has happened to the debt collectors, PAls and to the parking team in the hospital and no one can help me. Pals are saying they can't do nothing, the hospital parking team are saying speak to debt collectors and the debt collectors are saying the time to appeal has passed. The debt collection man I spoke to was so rude he told me I need to pay or they will take me to court. He wouldn't even let me to try to explain myself.

I am very stressed as I have never been in this situation and do not know what to do.

Can anyone give me some advice or guidance.

1505grandad

Who is the parking company?

Zoe_smith

I think its Gemini parking solutions

Gr1pr

The debt collectors cannot alter the case, they can only demand money from you, so pointless contacting them

Just ignore them, but do come back here if you receive a Letter of Claim giving you 30 days notice, or a Money Claim N1SDT pack from the CNBC in Northampton using MCOL, in the future

Zoe_smith

Sorry I do not understand,

ignore the debt collectors letters? and if I receive the following then reply back here? this is the last letter I received.

PHOTO-2026-09-30-12-15-58.jpeg

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82153672#Comment_82153672

Gr1pr

Correct, IGNORE those powerless debt collectors letters like from DRPL above, no contact whatsoever

Instead, read post 4 in the newbies sticky thread in announcements near the top of the forum, which definitely tells you to IGNORE them

GrannyKate

Follow the advice given above but also go back to PALS and say you wish to make a formal complaint to the CEO of the hospital Trust - they cannot refuse to allow you to do this and it is their job to help you. Remind them of the guidance for Trusts

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles

Which hospital is this?

Zoe_smith

Hello

thank you for your response. I will contact PALS and ask to do this. It is Whipps cross hospital

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82153762#Comment_82153762

Zoe_smith

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82153724#Comment_82153724

Hello

Thank you

GrannyKate

It looks like this multi-storey has been built as part of the New Hospital Programme and a wider development of the site. So owned by the Trust not external body (like PFI Contracts were). There seems to be a sign just before the entrance - ground floor is patients but all the other floors are staff. Was there a clear sign as you went up a level saying staff only above this point. They haven't lost anything as your parking would have been free but instead you actually paid as you were already late and already very stressed and anxious about missing your appointment.

Zoe_smith

Hi everyone

look what I just received from the parking team at the hospital. After emailing them several times and getting no response directly from them. they have finally emailed me. How do I respond to them now? how should I appeal this? where can I find the right thing to write to them.

"Thank you for your email.

We understand your concerns regarding the appeal process and the circumstances you have described. We have discussed the matter with our service provider, and they have advised that it may be possible to have the PCN recalled from the Debt Recovery stage to allow the original appeal to be considered. To enable us to progress this, please provide either the PCN number or the vehicle registration number (VRN) relating to the charge. Once we receive these details, we will forward them to our service provider and request that the PCN be brought back from debt recovery so that an appeal can be submitted.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Barts Health NHS Trust

Car Parking Services Team"

Thank you all for your support