Cheltenham NHS Worker Fined Despite Free Hospital Parking
Cheltenham NHS Worker Fined Despite Free Hospital Parking
A Cheltenham General Hospital employee has expressed frustration after being issued a parking ticket while working a night shift, despite the hospital’s car park being free for staff during those hours.
Details
The NHS worker, who transports blood samples to and from the hospital, said he repeatedly tried to purchase a free parking ticket through the Saba parking app but was unable to connect to the system. Knowing that parking was free for night-shift staff and having displayed his staff parking permit, the worker continued with his 10-hour shift, only to be hit with a parking charge notice threatening an £80 fine for failing to log his visit on the app.
The hospital car park is managed by Saba, which operates 900 car parks across the UK. According to government guidance released in 2022, hospital staff working night shifts should receive free parking. At Cheltenham General, night workers are required to obtain a free ticket via the Saba app and display a parking permit.
The staff member arrived for his shift at 9.15pm and tried to purchase his free ticket through the app, but the app would not allow him to progress to the payment screen despite multiple attempts. The next morning, after finishing his 10-hour shift, he found a ticket on his car issued at 10:54pm for failure to obtain a ticket or cashless parking session.
The worker appealed the fine, but his appeal was rejected. The original £80 fine was reduced to £40 for early payment, which the worker paid to avoid further escalation. He said he does not understand why staff need to buy a parking session at night unless it is simply an opportunity for the parking company to generate revenue. He later learned that payments could be made via the Saba website or phone, but he says this information is not well publicised.
What You Need to Know
– Cheltenham General Hospital provides free parking for staff working night shifts
– The hospital’s car park is managed by Saba, a company that runs 900 car parks across the UK
– Night workers at the hospital are required to obtain a free ticket via the Saba parking app and display a parking permit
– A Cheltenham NHS worker was issued a £80 parking fine (reduced to £40 for early payment) despite being unable to successfully purchase a free ticket through the app
– The worker appealed the fine, but his appeal was rejected
– Payments can also be made via the Saba website or phone, but this information is not widely publicised