"Car parking"

Thank you for giving us feedback on your experience of Christchurch Hospital and how prompt our X-Ray department is.

I understand that the recent change in car parking charges has caused frustration.

I would like take this opportunity to help you understand the reason behind the change in charges.

As car parking charges had not increased for several years despite increasing staff costs to manage the car parks, an extensive review was undertaken of car parking. This included numbers of spaces, types of concessions and a calculation of the average length of stay.

It was found that on average people were paying for 1 hour parking but staying over that time, additionally feedback from patients was that they wished for alternative methods of paying for car parking I.e. by card.

I am pleased that the team in Christchurch hospital were so efficient in their treatment of you that you were in and out very quickly and you didn’t need to stay the average time.

The hospital provides free and reduced price parking to more patient groups when in comparison to other hospitals, these include.

Vehicles that are tax exempt due to driver or passenger disability Patients undergoing treatment for cancer at the Trust, when they are attending as part of on-going treatment. This will include a course of chemotherapy, regular reviews, daily or weekly infusions. Concessions do not apply to ad hoc visits once treatment has ceased or for blood tests at any time. Relatives of patients who assist with the day to day care of an inpatient on a daily basis, subject to confirmation by the ward sister. Relatives of patients who are receiving end of life care, over two or more days. Parents or guardians of children undergoing inpatient treatment at the Trust. Relatives of patients on the ITU/HDU wards where long term repeat visits are undertaken Discount tickets, for one weeks parking, at £20 are available from the carpark office. Concessionary parking can be allocated by wards and departments where the patient or visitor is deemed to qualify. This is at the discretion of the ward sister. All concessions for relatives are limited to two vehicles per patient.

Both Christchurch and Bournemouth sites have 20 minute set down areas which are free to use.

To reduce congestion and alleviate parking concerns on both Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch sites we have introduced a £5 (for up to 5 miles) flat fee (Streamline) taxi service for patients travelling to and from the hospital for appointments. This service is heavily subsidised by the Trust and would encourage people to use this service.

I have raised your concern with the Director of Estates who manages the car parking, he has agreed that we will increase the number of free 20 minute set down bays and introduce alternative methods of payment at Christchurch Hospital.

To avoid increasing parking charges for all lengths of stay the removal of the one hour parking option was thought to have the least impact on the majority our patients. I hope this goes someway to explain the reason behind the removal of the one hour parking option.

Regards

Patient Engagement Team