PATIENTS visiting Royal Bournemouth Hospital have complained at the lack of parking signage for blue badges.
Commuters with blue badge passes, including cancer patients, say they have been paying for parking at the hospital for months as they were unaware they could park for free.
Having paid for parking by card, one hospital attendee, who suffers from respiratory issues, was told that his parking fee of £3.30 would be processed by cheque within 14 days.
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“The £3.30 isn’t going to put me out of pocket but it pisses me off that they’re doing absolutely nothing to let blue badge holders know that they do not need to pay," said the patient, who wished to remain anonymous.
“Who the hell reimburses people by cheques anymore?"
As part of construction work for its new Maternity, Children’s, Emergency and Critical Care Centre building and main entrance works, Royal Bournemouth Hospital has been forced to relocate a number of its car parks.
Since March 1, car park B at the hospital has been allocated for use by blue badge holders as the main car park outside the entrance to the main building is closed. At the time, the two machines outside the entrance were out of order and patients were directed to the nearest payment machines at the furthest end of car park D.
“I had to go to four appointments in five days a couple of weeks ago and I checked every time I went, and I could not see any notice anywhere that blue badge holders do not need to pay," said the patient.
“I went down to the office to try and get my money back and was told that they do not keep any money on site.
“They are taking advantage of the elderly and the vulnerable. I am sure there are a lot of elderly and infirm people that are having their money taken unnecessarily.”
University Hospitals Dorset, which manages Royal Bournemouth Hospital, said the trust would review its car park signage to ensure the message was “clearly visible”.
University Hospital Dorset director of estates Edwin Davies said: “Blue badge holders are eligible for free parking in car park B at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
“Details of this are available on our website at uhd.nhs.uk/visit/parking
“Patients who are having regular treatment at our hospitals are also eligible for free parking, even if they don’t have a blue badge.
"Their ward sister or charge nurse should be available to advise further on how to claim for this.”
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