Disgust at price rises for hospital parking
AND DISABLED BLUE-BADGE HOLDERS WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FIRST TIME
PATIENTS and visitors at the Queen’s Medical Centre have called the decision to increase prices for parking at Nottingham’s hospitals “extortionate” and “disgusting”.
Parking charges for bluebadge holders will also be introduced for the first time at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital and Ropewalk House, Nottingham University Hospital Trust has announced.
The increase to tariffs for patients and visitors will start from November 5.
Car parking charges for bluebadge holders will be introduced from January 7, 2019.
“It’s extortionate as it is,” said Angela Burbridge, 45, of Huck- nall. “It’s easier to park in the city and then get public transport to the hospital.
“It’s also completely wrong to be charging people with blue badges.”
James Fincher, 55, from Clifton added, “I’ve got a blue badge but it also means I’m at the hospital more because of it.
“I can’t afford to park here all the time. It’ll be too expensive.”
Samantha Olley, 39, of Carlton, said: “It’s disgusting that they’re going to charge people with blue badges.
“Parking here is bad enough as it is and you can never find a space to park. It’s just easier to park offsite, never mind cheaper.”
Prices will rise when staying four hours or longer.
The cost of parking for the week will increase from £15 to £20 whilst monthly tariffs will go up from £25 to £30.
Some visitors said parking at Queen’s Medical Centre should be free.
Leo Commons, 29, of Calverton, said: “They shouldn’t charge patients to be using hospital parking anyway. I’d already struggle at these prices.”
Concerns were also raised that there are not enough parking spaces available for people visiting the hospital.
Jodie Dennis, 24, of Clifton, said: “I don’t know why you would park at the hospital.
“There are never any spaces at any time of the day. You could come in the middle of the night and not find a disabled space.”
Another patient, Jackie Wallace, 71, of Langar, added: “I try not to use the parking. I either use the Park and Ride or I get my husband to drop me off.
“I don’t think they should charge for hospital parking, especially for the disabled.”
Director of estates and facilities at NUH, Andrew Chatten, said: “All of the money we make from parking charges goes back into funding maintenance, upkeep, security, improvements to our roads and car parks and supporting provision of the popular Medilink bus service, which connects the park and ride facilities with our two hospitals.
“In 2017-18, the money we spent on car parking exceeded the money we earned. We will be installing additional pay and display machines at relevant heights for blue badge holders.”
The trust also said it listened to feedback from patients and free parking has been extended from 15 minutes to 30 minutes.