Parking tickets sent to patient in intensive care
A woman hospitalized in intensive care was incorrectly issued parking fines by APCOA, despite her family having paid for permits. Following public outcry and media coverage, the parking company and the NHS trust apologized and cancelled the charges.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the bureaucratic failures in hospital parking management and the difficulties families face when dealing with automated systems during medical crises.
Image source, Family photograph Image caption, Kate Matthews with her father, David, before she was admitted to hospital
A woman has been issued four parking tickets and sent a letter from a debt collection company while she was "fighting for her life" in hospital.
David Matthews, from Elloughton, East Yorkshire, said his daughter, Kate, 36, had been receiving treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary since March and had spent time in intensive care.
David said he had been paying for weekly parking permits for his daughter's car but had still received the parking charge notices (PCNs). He added he had tried to contact parking company APCOA but was told they would speak only to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The NHS Humber Health Partnership and APCOA have apologised and have cancelled the charges.
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