Stourbridge MP hits out at unfair hospital parking charges and demands showdown meeting

Car parking at Russells Hall Hospital got a hearing in Parliament when Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles took the controversy to Westminster.

Complaints about people unfairly getting Parking Charge Notices (PCN) when they visited the hospital are on the rise after the site introduced automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) to cut time drivers spent waiting at barriers.

The hospital has already been forced to apologise for the problems, on October 5 a committee of Dudley councillors was told by Laura Broster, group director of communications at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, that the parking experience was ‘not good enough’.

Speaking in the House of Commons on October 22, Ms Eccles said: “At Russells Hall Hospital many patients, visitors and staff have reported receiving parking charge notices despite correctly registering and paying for their parking.

“The hospital car park is managed by Group Nexus, a private company and those receiving fines include blue badge holders and even a priest who was administering last rites.”

The Stourbridge MP went on to ask the Leader of The House of Commons, Sir Alan Campbell, if he agreed the NHS Trust needed to investigate the matter urgently.

In response Sir Alan said: “NHS trusts are responsible for car parking charges and are expected to follow the NHS car parking guidance.

“Some hospitals do use private companies and there is a new code of practice. I hope that her trust has heard her concerns today and that other trusts will look at this, to ensure that as the new code of practice comes in, they are fulfilling their obligations.”

Ms Eccles, along with other Dudley MPs, is writing to hospital bosses and Group Nexus demanding an urgent meeting to discuss unfair fines and what is being done to resolve the problem.

At the council meeting, Ms Broster said: “We don’t believe every aspect of the ANPR system is currently right and working well.

“Our partners Mitie have committed to practical improvements including clearer signage and working with Group Nexus to make sure appropriate concessions are properly recognised and they are applied fairly.”