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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to be annoyed when I get a parking ticket......

14 replies

smellyeli · 13/05/2011 14:24

.... for parking in a patient spot if all the staff spots are full up, and then walk in to the hospital (or waddle, in fact, at 35 weeks pregnant) past the personalised-numberplated cars of my able-bodied colleagues parked in disabled spaces right outside the door?

Grrrrrrr.

OP posts:

HecateQueenOfTheNight · 13/05/2011 14:25

report the cars in disabled spots without a badge.

BimboNo5 · 13/05/2011 14:26

What crap- you are going to work- would they rather you not go?

AmazingBouncingFerret · 13/05/2011 14:29

Was just about to come on and tell you to park legally then. Good job I took the time to read the OP properly!

At the risk of sounding like a broken mumsnet record... I agree with what hecate said.

Original poster

smellyeli · 13/05/2011 14:32

Hecate, I have done that - but nothing seems to happen. The spots are not exactly disabled either - they are outside the renal unit and are for dialysis patients, and the vans that go out to do mobile dialysis - so I don't know whether they officially count. I have always avoided parking in them out of courtesy but some of my colleagues clearly feel they are too busy and important to walk very far. I am just getting a bit fed up of having to waddle with my SPD and probably need to finish work if small things like this are making me so cross! - but Bimbo, you are right - would they rather I stayed at home??? Unless you arrive before 8.45 (which is tricky on the days I do drop off for my DC's) all the spaces are full, it really is so annoying.

OP posts:

LordOfTheFlies · 13/05/2011 16:48

I've worked in places where the consultants have a space cordoned off for them and if there's no space,they don't stay .We have a small staff car park at one hospital( you have to pay if you are considered eligible for a permit). I'm not. Even then you sometimes have to park in a muddy field- nice!
Is patient parking free?

confuddledDOTcom · 13/05/2011 17:04

It's not a fine, it's a fee so don't pay it.

The cars in the disabled spots (except on council property) are not parking illegally so they can only get a fee that can be fought too.

Original poster

smellyeli · 13/05/2011 17:59

No, patient parking not free. And I pay for my parking permit - so it's very annoying if there's no space. Which there never is after 9am.....

I hadn't realised it wasn't mandatory - if I don't pay they will chase me I presume, and the charge will go up - I will try and summon up the energy to appeal.....

Just out of interest LordofTheFlies, what would happen to the work the consultants were supposed to be doing if they left because there was no place to park??

OP posts:

LordOfTheFlies · 15/05/2011 00:27

smellyeli, no idea, but I would assume the rat faced secretary/receptionist who was putting out the cones to block the space ( and told me in no uncertain terms why I couldn't park there even though I worked there) would phone the patients up and 'rebook' them.
Note: there was no sign up to say it was an allocated space or I wouldn't have even tried.

confuddledDOTcom · 15/05/2011 00:40

Don't even appeal, just tell them you've no intention of paying. Have a look on Money Saving Expert forums, they have really good advice there about not paying a fee. Never pay a fee and always appeal a fine

TechnoKitten · 15/05/2011 06:19

We had to cancel a list once as the surgeon called us - he was stationary in his car, queueing for the only staff car park and had been in the queue waiting for a space for almost an hour. Many forms were filled out, much hot air was blown around, some probably at a higher level than I was privy to, being a lowly junior (albeit one who'd arrived at 7.30 specifically to get a space!).... and sod all was done about the atrocious parking situation.

OP - parking is often subcontracted out to private firms at NHS hospitals. Be wary of simply not paying but definitely try and get the ticket cancelled. And see if there is some kind of arrangement you can make with the parking firm for the remainder of the time you are working given your mobility is reduced - sure you can find a mate to write you a doctor's letter!

TattyDevine · 15/05/2011 12:28

Confuddled, what happens if you dont pay? Presumably they start to chase you and can't they get bailiffs?

Or is that just something we all assume?

TattyDevine · 15/05/2011 12:42

Oh here we go read this

ENormaSnob · 15/05/2011 12:48

Yanbu

it is the same at the hospital I work at.

confuddledDOTcom · 15/05/2011 13:41

I love Martin, you can hear him talking reading that. Does that help, anyway?

We've done it before and they gave up quickly, certainly when they knew it was refused, and I know others have. It looks daunting but it shouldn't be that hard.

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