NHS hospital car parks make visits stressful!

Originally Posted by Telegraph

Crowded and expensive NHS hospital car parks make visits more stressful for half of all users, according to a new report.

Problems finding a space, cost and battling confusing payment systems are among the problems facing hospital visitors, consumer watchdog Which? said.

A survey found 67% of people who had used an NHS hospital car park in the last two years thought charges were too expensive.

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I dont see why they need to charge to pay to park at a hospital - why do they need to make a profit from visitors and from people being unwell

i agree, my daughter was in hospital a few weeks ago with appendix and whilst waiting to go down for operation my hubby was talking to a theatre sister and she told him that apparently it is illegal for the nhs to charge for parking at hospitals and it is being looked into, dont know who buy.

we already pay for the parking in our taxes, why should we have to pay again.

On three occasions I have been in the car park and telephoned the dept where my appointment was to say I could not keep my appt as there was nowhere to park! The last time I was meant to be visiting the breast clinic at Clatterbridge, never found anywhere to park, and its stressful enough without worrying about parking and the cost of parking!!!

When it was first introduced (about 20 years ago) it was to stop people abusing the car parks leaving their cars there then walking to workplace / shops etc. It was accepted then for those reasons and the money was used to substitute their budget and buy 'extras' for the patients.
Unfortunately it has morphed into the situation we have now.

Personally, I don't have a problem paying as long as it is a reasonable cost and not mega bucks. IMHO the £2 they charge round here isn't too bad. Of course, I'd prefer it free but wouldn't we all.

Originally Posted by angelina

On three occasions I have been in the car park and telephoned the dept where my appointment was to say I could not keep my appt as there was nowhere to park! The last time I was meant to be visiting the breast clinic at Clatterbridge, never found anywhere to park, and its stressful enough without worrying about parking and the cost of parking!!!

The problem with that clinic is they tell you to use a particular car park which holds about a dozen cars only. Istruggled there but was lucky to get parked fairly easily at a different car park.

what is the score at arrowe park,you got one free car park with queuse? a mile long to get into free car park and a huge car park empty becaiuse you have to pay,what is the point of having a free one .

Originally Posted by phalinmegob

what is the score at arrowe park,you got one free car park with queuse? a mile long to get into free car park and a huge car park empty becaiuse you have to pay,what is the point of having a free one .

A couple of years ago the council gave Arrowe park hospital the land for expanding their car parks on the condition that they provided x amount of free spaces.
Its saved me a fortune whist working there over the past few years but then again I get there before 8am so theres space that early. I am at clatterbridge at the moment and have avoided paying so far. I wont reveal how because some bitter person or other might grass me up lol.

Haha Kev - I'm guessing you have the barrier code to the rough and ready staff car park at Clatters