Scrap Hospital Parking Charges?
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Should hospitals scrap parking charges?
A trust’s decision to replace weekly fees with costly daily rates has reignited the debate. Critics say it unfairly impacts patients and families already under pressure. What’s your take—should parking be free at hospitals?
No they shouldn't scrap them but I don't think any staff should have to pay for parking and the people who do pay the money from the parking should go back into the nhs
It’s disgusting how these parking companies treat people at what is possibly some of their lowest moments.
I work for the nhs and they recently brought a system in where we have to put our car reg in. I forgot one day and ended up with £170 fine! Nice appreciation for nhs staff
SamGoodship my appeal was rejected as apparently I was not authorised to park there as I didn't have a valid e permit (which I didn't have as I had forgot to enter my car reg) so basically went round in circles and now I'm going to county court. I thought the NHS might help me out since I was at work but they actually don't care at all.
Problem is some people with no morals would abuse the free parking, the fact nurses and hospital assistants have to pay is scandalous
martinlufc5637 They take the p*SS at our local hospital. 4 people will commute and park for free at the hospital (we are in Wales) and then they will travel into the town centre to work in ONE car and share the cost of ONE ticket in the car park.
It's an absolute nightmare to get a parking spot at the hospital for staff/patients/visitors
It should be free, but time limited and prof that those parking went to the hospital and not gone on shopping trip!
Absolutely should be free. If for instance you're staff or are attending as a patient on a frequent basis say for radiotherapy or chemotherapy it is a disgrace that you are charged
Yes they need to scrap charges for staff and patients as long as you can show you are legitimately using the hospital, not leaving your car parked there and going off elsewhere.
Yes absolutely. I think it's scandalous to this day that people have to pay hospital parking
Yes they should scrap hospital parking charges. People who park are either going to work in the hospital or going to see a family member and the family member who is in hospital they might be the only person they have to rely/depend on. These parking companies charge a lot to park.
Hospital parking should be free throughout the country, when you have to attend such a place the last thing on your mind is paying for parking. We have Free hospital parking in Wales, but try to find a space at most hospitals is near impossible
It should be free, but with conditions.
My experience at Southend Hospital was that when the barriers were up and you didn't need a ticket to park, it was abused.
On more than one occasion I saw people park there and then wander off towards the office blocks of Southend (about a 10-15 minute walk)
So some system needs to be in place so that only Hospital Workers/visitors can benefit.
Scrapped totally. If an individual is needing to visit regularly a seriously sick or relative / spouse, they do not need the worry of having enough money for long periods of time for car parking. I never could believe when this was brought into fruition. It’s just greed.
Hospital parking should be free as you only go to a hospital for appointments or to visit someone who is ill or going for treatment to stop the system from being abused you should have to produce your appointment or give the name of the person and ward that they are on when you visit, and it definitely should be free for the staff
I believe it should be scrapped but something needs to be in place to stop it being abused. Where I am it is already horrendous to park and often there are no spaces so if it was completely free it could end up being worse.
Better still walk to hospital or call an ambulance then there is no need for the car parks, we can then sell the land off and build houses to raise funds for the NHS.
It's certainly not cheap to park at hospitals anymore so would be good if you could get 1/2 hours of free parking maybe.
Parking should be FREE or at least cheaper, I grew up across the road from the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, they had decent car parks..
You have to drive on my old avenue to get to my sister's close,that avenue now has cars parked end to end & all down the main road towards the NGH,it's absolutely ridiculous!!
My oldest friend used to volunteer at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, she had to drive from Rotherham & park at her Dad's home then walk across to the NGH.
Excel Car Parking in Sheffield maintain some of the car parks around Sheffield, these cowboys prey on motorists..
Another friend & I used to clean the offices of this company years ago on Fridays & the amount of cash tins that came in on a Friday afternoon was unbelievable!!
This company is regularly featured in our local Newspaper for their underhand tactics of fleecing the motorists..
If you can guarantee that those using the carparks are hospital related then yes as others will abuse it sadly
I think it should be scrapped for staff! Also for visitors who are having a period of being there daily. When my Dad was in a coma we had to be there everyday and become quite costly. But just for the people you are the for one off visits or very short-term visit, then I think it's ok to pay then
They would get abused if they were free, so should pay but not ridiculous amounts like they charge. I used to work at the hospital and staff bought day tickets or 5 day tickets.
I think there should be a bar code on your hospital letter that you can scan in. So real patients can park for free. It’s difficult about staff - most jobs i have worked i have had to buy season tickets for car parks not given free parking. I do think NHS staff deserve as much of a break from any costs as possible but land is always at such a premium. Maybe give them a staff only car park and if its bit further away put shuttle buses on for them.
I agree that if it
was free it would get abused.
It can confuse a lot of people as they tend to be ANPR so there is no barrier to remind people. When i go for cancer treatment I put my registration number in a computer screen in reception.
Yes. I feel that many people attending hospital or visiting may already be off work temporarily due to their own personal injury or illness, or to care for their loved one
Most parking spaces were leased to ncp so they could start charging - it’s the nhs making money and delegating the parking issues with a company whose business is parking (just about making money)
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