Patients described as “vulnerable” were upset after receiving parking fines at a crowded hospital despite malfunctioning ticket machines.
Sophie Ellis, 38, faced the issue at Crawley Hospital in West Sussex when she tried to pay for parking but found all machines were not accepting cash or card payments. She witnessed chaos with elderly individuals and wheelchair users distressed about the situation.
Even after a nurse intervened, the warden advised people to appeal their fines, showing a lack of concern. Sophie, from Cheam, Surrey, attending the hospital for a mammogram, expressed frustration at the warden’s indifference.
She recounted the chaotic scene at the car park, highlighting the warden’s actions of ticketing cars while machines were malfunctioning. Despite attempts to pay using coins, the machines were unresponsive, causing distress among visitors.
Sophie eventually managed to pay using the MiPermit app on her phone, albeit after encountering signal issues, resulting in a delay for her appointment. She emphasized the stress caused by the situation, especially for older patients unfamiliar with the app.
In response to the incident, a council spokesperson acknowledged the machine malfunction and apologized for any inconvenience caused. They highlighted alternative payment methods available, including cash payments and the MiPermit app.
Footage showed the warden suggesting that individuals could appeal their fines, further adding to the frustration of visitors affected by the situation.
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