"Great care, but getting some basic aspects of service wrong"

My son broke his wrist playing football for the second time this season and on both occasions we were passed to children's A&E and had exemplary, speedy care from all staff, from nurses to x-ray to the surgeons that operated. Couldn't have been better, well done to all involved.

However, with the most recent break there was unnecessarily increased stress as the hospital parking situation is poorly managed. I only had £20 notes with me when we parked in car park 1. The car park machine accepted coins only, the change machine near the entrance was out of order. We asked a passing staff member and got sent towards vending machines, but they didn't accept £20 notes, it was around 4pm on a Sunday and all the cafes and hospital shops were closed. Knowing I wouldn't be able to leave my son in A&E whilst I went and got some change from a shop or garage in town, we both went and had to buy something from Morrisons garage to get change to feed the car park. He was in pain, I was apoplectic at the ludicrousness at having to leave the hospital with a child in pain just to get change for the car park.

To add insult to injury, I've just collected the follow up appointment letter from the Post Office and had to pay £2 as it had no postage at all. Our address was partially obscured by the envelope window size so it went to the wrong house first. Thankfully we haven't missed the appointment.

Great care, but parking management and the post room both need a kick up the ...