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Hospital Parking Charges: How to Fight Back

Hospital parking charges are among the most controversial issued by private parking operators. Patients, visitors, and staff can find themselves facing steep charges for overstaying while attending medical appointments, visiting loved ones, or dealing with health emergencies. Many people feel these charges are fundamentally unfair, and there are strong legal arguments to support that view.

Received a parking charge at a hospital parking? Many hospital parking parking charges can be challenged on grounds including inadequate signage, POFA 2012 non-compliance, and mitigating circumstances.

  • •Medical necessity (you could not reasonably leave during treatment or emergency)
  • •Payment machine malfunction with no alternative payment method available
  • •Unclear or insufficient signage, particularly for anxious patients and visitors
  • •NHS guidelines state parking should not be a barrier to accessing healthcare

Key Advice for Hospital Parking Charges

  1. Keep proof of your hospital appointment or visit (appointment letters, discharge papers)
  2. Note if any payment machines were out of order
  3. Take photos of signage, especially if it is unclear or poorly positioned
  4. Contact the hospital's patient services or PALS team for support
  5. Check whether the hospital has a policy on cancelling charges for patients

Why Hospital Parking Charges Happen

  • Overstaying the time limit due to delayed appointments or longer-than-expected visits
  • Failure to display a ticket correctly or payment machine malfunction
  • ANPR cameras failing to record a valid exit
  • Confusion about which areas are free and which require payment
  • Returning to a car park multiple times in one day for different appointments
  • Not understanding the parking terms as a first-time visitor

Parking Companies at Hospital Sites

See our parking company guides for detailed information on appealing to specific operators.

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Defence Arguments for Hospital Parking Charges

  • Medical necessity (you could not reasonably leave during treatment or emergency)
  • Payment machine malfunction with no alternative payment method available
  • Unclear or insufficient signage, particularly for anxious patients and visitors
  • NHS guidelines state parking should not be a barrier to accessing healthcare
  • Mitigating circumstances (the severity of the medical situation)
  • Failure to provide adequate grace periods for patients with mobility issues
  • Government guidance on hospital parking charges and concessions

Your Rights

The UK Government has issued guidance on hospital parking, stating that many patients should receive free parking, including disabled patients, frequent outpatient visitors, and those attending emergency departments. Some hospitals have pledged to cancel charges where there are genuine mitigating circumstances. You have the right to appeal to the parking operator, escalate to POPLA or the IAS, and defend any court claim.

What You Should Do

  1. 1.Keep proof of your hospital appointment or visit (appointment letters, discharge papers)
  2. 2.Note if any payment machines were out of order
  3. 3.Take photos of signage, especially if it is unclear or poorly positioned
  4. 4.Contact the hospital's patient services or PALS team for support
  5. 5.Check whether the hospital has a policy on cancelling charges for patients
  6. 6.If the charge reaches court, your medical circumstances are powerful mitigating factors

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal a hospital parking parking charge?

Yes. All private parking charges can be appealed. You should first appeal directly to the parking operator, then escalate to POPLA or the IAS if your appeal is rejected. These independent appeals services are free to use and their decisions are binding on the operator but not on you.

Who manages parking at hospital parkings?

Parking at hospital parkings is typically managed by private parking operators such as ParkingEye, Euro Car Parks, APCOA, or Smart Parking, depending on the site. The operator's name will be shown on the parking charge notice and on signage at the car park.

What are the best defence arguments for hospital parking parking charges?

Common defence arguments include inadequate or unclear signage, POFA 2012 non-compliance (such as late service of the Notice to Keeper), mitigating circumstances specific to hospital parking visits, ANPR camera errors, and disproportionate charges under ParkingEye v Beavis [2015] UKSC 67.

Will a hospital parking parking charge go to court?

Most hospital parking parking charges do not reach court. Operators typically send debt collection letters as a collection measure, but only a small proportion of charges result in county court claims. If a claim is issued, you have 14 days to acknowledge it and 28 days to file a defence. A well-drafted defence often leads to the claim being discontinued.

How long do I have to appeal a hospital parking parking charge?

You typically have 28 days from the date of the parking charge notice to appeal to the operator. If your appeal is rejected, you then have a further 28 days to escalate to the independent appeals service (POPLA for BPA members, IAS for IPC members). You should appeal promptly to preserve your rights.

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