A HOSPITAL trust has apologised to a breast cancer clinic patient who was fined for parking on a patch of grass so she would not miss an appointment.

Maria McCabe, from Ferndown, said she arrived in good time at the Royal Bournemouth on Monday, but was caught up in “traffic chaos”, as she joined other drivers looking for spaces.

“One car park had barriers across the entrance as it was officially closed because it was full. In desperation, and at the point when my appointment was due, I had no choice but to park, tidily, on a grass area next to a car park,” she said.

She bought and displayed a ticket, but returned to find she had been issued with a penalty notice.

Ms McCabe claims she telephoned the hospital’s car park department and was told by a member of staff that they advised people to park at the nearby Tesco supermarket.

“This is outrageous – I got a fine for parking on the grass but was advised that I should have parked illegally in someone else’s private car park,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals said: “The trust is sorry to hear of this patient’s experience and apologises for the inconvenience this has caused her. We would not expect this patient to pay the fine she was issued on this occasion.

“We understand the current difficulties faced by patients and visitors to the hospital in finding a parking space during busy periods and appreciate the implications this has to our patients attending appointments.

“We are in the process of building a new multi-storey car park for staff and on its completion in January 2010. This will release more spaces in the surface car park for both patients and visitors.”

She added: “The trust does not condone patients or visitors parking in Tesco Extra, and all car parking staff have been informed that it is not acceptable to give this advice.”