Hospital Car Parks

[Bern2]

I was intrigued to see an item on BBC Breakfast recently on the car parking charges in hospitals. My local hospital was charging ?2.50 minimum a number of years ago, which I thought was extortionate.

In Christchurch, Dorset, the public local shopping car park has designated parking for people with disabilities, but, unless youe are on a certain level on DLA where the Council pay your car tax, you still have to pay the full parking fee. This is the only place I know where this system is in place.

What is your experience? Is there any way to claim back parking fees for people with disabilities?

Regards

Bern

[Vette73ds]

Hi Bern

I know what you mean, unfortunately I don't think there is any way of reclaiming the charges back - well nothing that I have heard of anyway.

It is silly having to pay to park at a hospital, our local hospital charges ?2.50 per visit but my parents' hospital in Great Yarmouth only used to charge ?1.50 (although I think I has recently gone up). However, as I am now under the care of Tommies I have to pay ?2.00 per hour plus congestion charge (with petrol it costs me about ?50 per visit), but its still cheaper for me this way than getting the train or the bus from where I live. The trains cost a minimum of ?150 return, times that by two because my hubby always comes with me...I have tried getting cheaper rail fares but because of the times I get the appointments they can't improve them..

Doesn't it just stink style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif

[jude hall]

Hi, If you both have a dissabled blue badge most car parks give free parking. Tommies gives free parking you just have to take you blue badge to reception and you get the parking free. Also you can fill in a form for congestion charge exemption, so you register your regular car and then if you enter the congestion zone you are exempt and if you are in a defferent car for some reason you just call up on the day and nominate the new car. Iam in the prosses of applying and so my next trip to tommies will only cost the petrol money. If you dont have a blue badge get one, I resisted getting it for ages as Iam only 35 and I thought Iam not giving in yet to my dissability, but I gave in in the end and am so glad I did. Not only for the fact the money it saves you but also getting out and about is so much easy. On those days when getting out seemed just too hard to achive knowing there won't be a big hike before you even get there because you can park close by means an outting is more achivable.
Take care, get your badge, Love Jude

[Bern2]

Hi all,

I agree get the blue badge if you are eligible, it does make life easier. If you do have a blue badge, I am sure, you can get the congestion charge waived, by contacting them and letting them have your travel details

If you live in a London Borough and are 60 you can get a freedom pass which gives you free travel on public transport from 9.30 am to 5.30 am (early am next day). There is a Freedom Disability pass for travel on public transport, issued by local councils but I don't know alot about these.

There is also the Oyster card - a top up card - used for public transport travel. It states that using an Oyster card gives cheaper travel, but again I don't know much about this services.

I think people on certain benefits can claim travel to hospital expenses back - am I right? If so how is it done?

Anyone had experience?

Regards

Bern

[balla]

HI i live in the uk and have to travel a few mile as my local hospital in cumbria as no nuerological dept. And as i have demylination need to be seen quite often preston hospital is quite cheap as far as car parking 50p per 2 hours. But is very hard to find parking space. But when i have had to travel to Glasgow hospital my G.P sorted transport out for me in which i didn't pay anything .The local ambulance service runs this volentary drivers take you wait for you then take you home,I don't know if all NHS do this but as i have children my husband can not always come with me so it does help as i get lost due to memory problems. All i need to do is phone my G.P and say i have an appointment at such a time i need transport and they sort it out for me.I am eligable for blue badge but never get round to getting one as i have very bad pain and numbness in my legs when i stand and find it hard to even get round a supermarket without stopping to sit down often found leaning on the freezers etc.But don't you find just because our illness is hidden people think there is nothing wrong with you it realy annoys me. I do use a wheel chair when we go on days out but hate the way people treat you differant.

[Bern2]

Hi,

Look what I found on the internet. I thought you might find it useful when travelling.


http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/index.htm

Loads of info!

Regards Bern

[Angelee]

No such luck on this I'm afraid at least not here in Luton. However, on a slightly funny note the spaces by the Phsychiatric units are almost always cheaper. Don't ask me why, perhaps they are afraid to set them off, but I have noticed this at 3 hospitals I have been to now.

[Bern2]

Hallo All

Update on this topic!

My sister's husband is disabled and has been in hospilal for three weeks now, and she has been paying five pounds for parking each time she goes in to see him. They are on benefits and it take a great chunk out of their income.

She asked at reception if there was any help. She was told to speak to the Sister on the ward.

The outcome was that the Sister issued her a parking permit which allows her to park for ?1.50 per week.

Good result!

Regards

Bern

[Clare.T]

Brilliant ! Just goes to show

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Clare