FEATURE HOSPITAL PARKING
Let’s make A
With hospital parking charges a continuing source of contention, Andrew Mourant looks at the apparent reluctance of some NHS trusts to buy into the BPA’s proposed solution
better THINGS
s Vinci’s commercial director Phillip Herring comments: ‘Hospital parking is quite different to a town centre or railway station. People are in an environment where they aren’t at ease; they’re stressed.’
The charter
emphasises the need both to be fair when setting tariffs and to publicise concessions for outpatients and visitors forced to make frequent hospital trips
So in 2010, amid inconsistencies, variable standards and the desire to see best practice universally applied, the BPA introduced its Charter for Hospital Parking. Its emphases were on safety for users, fairness and clarity for all, and sufficient space for the disabled. This all sounds entirely reasonable – so why have many hospital trusts failed to get on board? Jug Johal, vice chair of the BPA’s healthcare special interest group, has a couple of theories. ‘One might be the costs involved in meeting the charter’s requirements,’ he says. ‘This has been discussed at a number of national meetings. The charter also talks about having to work toward Park Mark, so you have to be members of the BPA and have Safer Parking membership.’
And while some hard-pressed trusts may be put off by potential expenses, they needn’t be, says Johal. ‘I think it’s a case of educating operators,’ Johal explains. ‘Some trusts read the specifications and think “Oh my God, we’ll have to spend a load of money”, but parking revenue can be used to offset the costs.’
Now the BPA charter is under review. Where that will lead remains to be seen,
34 JULY 2012
although most operators agree with Johal that the charter is already intrinsically valuable. ‘It’s concentrated hospitals’ minds on delivering a better level of service. But there’s probably more we can do to help hospitals understand best practice. ‘I sympathise with the BPA about their concern over the lack of take-up. Where you have different people in different trusts responsible for parking, it’s hard to find the right one to deal with.
‘I think there’s more work we can do, rather than to leave the BPA to fight the cause alone.’
Fair play
The charter emphasises the need both to be fair when setting tariffs, and to publicise concessions for outpatients and visitors forced to make frequent hospital trips. It also recommends parking systems that are easy to use and understand – all of which is important when visitors are potentially in a hurry, or feeling emotional or stressed. Herring believes pay-on-foot parking is consistent with helping reduce stress. ‘When people arrive, they don’t know how long they’ll be there, and with pay and display there’s an anxiety about overstay,’ he says.
www.britishparking.co.uk
Ian Nicholson/PA Archive/Press Association Images
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