"Parking nightmare at a stressful time"

In September, my elderly mum had a fall at her care home (in Whitchurch) and had a suspected broken arm.

I was advised that i didnt need to attend the BRI and that all could be catered for at South Bristol.

I parked in the designated car park.

The visit was very stressful as my Mum has anxiety but is also doubly incontinent and unfortunately we had a "toilet" related issue.

A member of the nursing staff who was assisting the radiographer in taking x rays was very kind and helped me clean mum up and find her a robe to replace her clothes.

A Nurse practitioner (Triage Nurse?) was also very helpful both when we were first arrived and to help me with mum when we eventually left the hospital after mum had been put in plaster. Overall i couldnt fault the service received.

The nightmare started with the parking.

The triage Nurse was waiting with my mum outside the hospital as i went to collect the car.

I had no cash on me as i had rushed out to the care home when advised about the fall.

I had my cards but the machine is very difficult to understand, i asked a number of passers by but no-one could help.

The machine was just showing £1.50 and although i didnt think this was correct i couldnt change the figure to pay more and given my mum was waiting outside and i was taking up the time of the nurse, i paid what was requested and left.

If Parking Eye know when you have arrived and when you are leaving why doesnt the machine show the amount due like many car parks (galleries, Cabot etc) do.

I subsequently tried to contact Parking Eye by phone and email to see what i had to do but their Customer Service is non existent.

Around a week later i then got a penalty notice - i have appealed and asked for guidance about what i should do in the future when using one of their machines but they ignored my questions and just refuted my appeal.

We are encouraged to use local hospitals to relieve the pressure on the BRI but this over zealous approach to parking will put many off including me, in future.

ALL VISITORS please take GREAT CARE when PARKING.

Better guidance and a machine which shows the amount due would help as otherwise there will be an increased burden on hospital staff from people asking questions.