By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The firm which polices a hospital’s oncology car park has been described as a “bunch of bloody vultures circling a corpse” after charging a disabled driver who is undergoing life-prolonging cancer treatment.
Steve Johnson, 69, from Bishop’s Cleeve, was issued with a £40 parking charge notice by Saba after parking at Cheltenham General Hospital’s oncology car park in January this year.
Mr Johnson was at the hospital for one of his appointments for a test as part of his ongoing treatment to prolong his life.
He has a blue badge and parked his vehicle on double yellow lines after driving around the car park eight times and not being able to find a space.
Despite appealing and sending a supporting letter from his oncologist asking for the parking charge to be dropped, he is now being chased by debt collectors who want him to pay £150.
“I appealed to Saba and they sent me a letter telling me if I couldn’t find a parking bay, I should have left the car park,” he said.
“Obviously, I’m not there shopping for the latest fashion. I’m there for treatment to try and prolong my life. So leaving the car park was not an option.”
Mr Johnson parked there in the belief it was fine as blue badge holders are allowed to park for up to three hours on double yellow lines.
“I made sure I wasn’t causing any obstruction,” he said.
“The private ambulances that pick people up stop there, it’s not like it’s not used.
“I’ve parked on double yellow lines before with no problem.
“I’ve got pictures of where I parked and there were no signs anywhere. The nearest sign is across the car park.
“Even an able bodied person isn’t going to walk in the opposite direction to where their appointment is.
“You don’t do a bloody lap of honour. You get in there, you get your appointment done and you get out.
“The onus is on Saba to make sure that everything is adequately signed. My argument is it isn’t.
“If they put yellow flashes on the kerb like the council then we would know we can’t park there even with our blue badges.
His sister, Carol Mustoe, thinks the way Saba has treated her brother is appalling.
“I just think they are a bunch of bloody vultures,” she said. “They are circling a corpse.”
Mr Johnson said they have now passed his case onto debt collectors who are chasing him for £150.
But he is willing to fight them in court, if needs be.
“They are threatening to put it in the hands of solicitors so the costs will then escalate,” he said.
“I’ve been through their complaints procedure which is a waste of bloody time.
“Saba sent reams of photographs of car parks I’ve never been in. They are just padding their case.”
Mr Johnson said he has raised the issue with his MP Cameron Thomas who has contacted Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust about the fine.
Mr Thomas said: “Hospital carparks must be managed, but enforcement action should consider circumstances case by case, with due care for desperate and vulnerable visitors.
“I have written to the trust to request clarity as to how third party contractors are overseen; to ensure that those who need to use these facilities are treated humanely. This is particularly important given that they are hired with public money.
“I have fostered a positive professional relationship with the trust since my election, and look forward to its response to these questions.”
A Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: “We are sorry to hear that Mr Johnson has been issued a parking fine at Cheltenham General Hospital and that this has now been passed to debt collectors.
“We take accessibility very seriously and we recognise that attending hospital for cancer treatment can be particularly difficult for patients with mobility problems.
“Our parking arrangements are designed to ensure that patients who need to access our hospitals can do so safely, including provision for Blue Badge holders and those undergoing oncology treatment. Oncology permits are valid within designated areas and Blue Badge holders may park in any parking space.
“Parking and any charge notices are managed directly by our car parking provider, Saba.
“We are looking into the specific circumstances and will consider these in line with our parking arrangements and our responsibilities to make reasonable adjustments for disabled patients.”
Saba has been approached for comment.