Parking fine for emergency nurse was ‘despicable’
APARKING firm has been heavily criticised for putting a ticket on a nurse’s car while they were potentially trying to save a patient’s life.
A Parking Charge Notice (PCN) was placed on a car at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff by the private company Indigo on Sunday afternoon.
On the dashboard of the car, a large sign was displayed which read: “Cardiac emergency nurse on call”.
But the Indigo parking attendant opted to follow procedure and issue a ticket to the driver regardless of their personal situation.
Doctors and nurses working at the University Hospital of Wales have regularly criticised the lack of spaces at the site.
Some say they often have no choice but to face returning to their car with a ticket because otherwise they would be late for work.
Susan Prior, from the Taff Ely Parking Action Group, has been helping staff who have found themselves facing possible court action over the invoices.
She said some employees at the hospital are getting to work two hours early just so they can secure a parking space.
She said: “This is the most despicable instance of tickets issued, however it is not the only one.
“We have another staff member in court soon for this exact situation.”
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said staff members know the rules and should not be creating their own signs.
Commenting on the incident, Geoff Walsh, director of capital, estates and operational services at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “Staff attending genuine emergencies or requiring parking as part of their job are catered for by the health board and those departments and individuals are all familiar with the allocated areas.
“We do not recognise homemade non-official signage to enable individuals to absolve themselves of paying for parking or parking in areas not allocated.
“We have a clear process in place for those staff who are genuinely required to park in places at short notice due to operational or emergency treatment.”
In April 2016, Indigo and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board came to an agreement that all unpaid PCNs issued up to and including March 31, 2016, were withdrawn by Indigo.
But since that date, hospital workers have been receiving invoices to their homes demanding payment and being threatened with court action.
It is understood that more than 85 NHS employees at UHW are currently seeking legal representation to fight the parking invoices in court.
Indigo have also approached for comment. been