"Fine for parking in Aldershot Health Centre."

A couple of days ago, I received a letter from DRP Debt recovery Plus Ltd for a parking fine of £160 for a visit to Aldershot Health Centre  three months ago stating insufficient paid to time.This is the first indication of a problem.

I have had many visits to this Health Centre and in the past have not encountered any problems. I have always purchased a parking ticket , having to guess how long the appointment or procedure would take and attended my appointment. I have no recollection of this incident and seeing as nothing was placed on my car at the time, and the time that as elapsed, now leaves me in a dilemma. I have had several appointments for various treatments or Consultations and although I recall an incident I cannot say catorgorically they refer to the date in question. The incident that I had was a problem with the machine taking the £1 coin and eventually a ticket was produced and I left it on the dashboard. On entering into the Centre and Dept I complained that one of the parking machines was playing up and was told not to worry, they've had so many complaints about the parking company they are changing them!" 

My issue is that I do not believe I did not purchase long enough as although I am unwell for these appointments mostly I have been seen fairly quickly. There was one occasion that I was requested to wait after a Consultation for blood tests but other not huge delays. Due to the matter not being notified earlier I now cannot prove my innocence as clearly any parking tickets have hit the bin weeks ago.

My argument is this, if a hospital requests payment for car parking do not expect the Patient to anticipate how long there treatments, appointment will take! This can vary on whether additional tests are required or whether the Consultant is running on time.  Once in the treatment room it is impossible for a patient to jump up and run to the car park to top up parking if they have come alone. All parking in NHS sites should be pay for the time used on exit! Surely this is common sense!

I intend to dispute this fine without proof and in the meantime suggest it is not the patients responsibility to know prior to an appointment exactly how long procedures take or whether extra tests may be required or whether the Department have delays. I refuse to be fined £160 or potentially more because one NHS site has chosen to contract their parking to a system that doesn't work for the service provided!