To wonder if I’m missing something...

[Figuringitout]

Ok, I need some help to see if there is a completely obvious solution that I am overlooking.
My dad has to travel to London for a day of hospital appointments. They begin at 9am and the whole process will take about 7 hours. He has to attend as it is vital for his treatment (cancer).
No visitors / people accompanying are allowed with him given the current health climate.
He lives a good 4 hours drive from London. He cannot drive there and back and undergo treatment in one day (my mum would usually accompany him and share the driving).
He has been shielding for the last 8 weeks and has had very little contact with anyone other than my mum - so trains etc seem less safe than the car. There also isn’t a train which leaves early enough to get him there for 9.
If mum goes too - what can she do for 7 hours? What if she needs the loo etc?
Genuinely perplexed and feel useless as I can’t help them out.

I would guess she would be able to go and just stay in the car. I would think the hospital would allow her in for a quick loo stop but other than that she's going to have to just brace for a day of magazines, radio and car based activities.

Would any local hotels still be open to get a room for the day ? Maybe contact the patient information at the hospital to see if they can advise any options.

I wouldn’t want any of my loved ones going on the train in the same situation.

Where do they normally park? I’d phone the hospital, explain the situation, see if they have toilets in their lobby your mum would be able to use. Can she drop him off then drive to the nearest car park with food, drink & a book? If she can’t drive back to use the toilet, the only thing I can think of is a bucket in the passenger seat footwell, a long skirt and a prayer that nobody will be walking by.