This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"The car parking system for disabled ..."

About: Cheltenham General Hospital

(as the patient),

What could be improved

The car parking system for disabled people should be looked at urgently. This morning, I parked in front of East Block for an appointment there. Large boards at the car park entrance could not be read in time to find out what it said. I couldn't park in a designated Disabled space as there were none left so parked in an ordinary space. On trying to get an exit ticket from the booth I was told that I couldn't have one as I hadn't parked in a disabled space even though there weren't any !! I was offered the rule book to read. Had I lied I would have been able to get an exit ticket as the car park attendant wouldn't have known any different but I don't usually lie. (I might in future though). There are only 4 disabled spaces in front of East Block so I was told if they were full I should have gone to College Road car park where they have 12 spaces. Point 1. I would have had to pay to get out of that car park on finding no disabled spaces in order to drive around to College Road. Point 2. The whole point of my having a disabled blue badge is so I can walk to places I need without pain. I can't walk from College Road to East Block, that's why I have the badge. Your car park attendant was very unprofessional, very uncaring and totally didn't understand my point of view when the logic of it is obvious . Please explain to me why I had to pay to get out of the car park when other disabled badge holders didn't. Your car park attendant then sat down watching the traffic go by. Paid for not doing their job as far as I could see !!!

nhs.uk logo
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Cheltenham General Hospital 13 years ago
Cheltenham General Hospital
Submitted on 20/07/2010 at 19:50
Published on nhs.uk on 25/07/2010 at 20:39


We are sorry to hear that you experienced problems with finding an accessible space at Cheltenham General Hospital. Unfortunately, like all public car parks there will be times when our spaces are at capacity and in these situtations, drivers will have to wait for a space to become available or find an alternative space. Disabled drivers are able to park free when parked in an accessible space, but any drivers parked in the standard parking bays will have to pay the appropriate tarif. For more information on free parking for Blue Badge holders on private land, please refer to section 6 in the handbook issued with the badge.

The Trust takes the improvements of access for those with disabilities seriously and strives to fulfil its obligations under the Disability Equality Act. The ratio of accessible parking spaces to standard spaces exceeds the nationally recommended 6%, but is always subject to continual review by the Trust. In recent weeks, we have increased the number of accessible spaces across both hospital sites in response to comments from patients. Should you have any problems in the future, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 019 3282.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k