A parking enforcement company managing Cheltenham General Hospital’s oncology car park has faced harsh criticism after issuing a fine to a disabled cancer patient undergoing treatment.
Steve Johnson, 69, from Bishop’s Cleeve, was issued a £40 parking charge notice by Saba in January after parking on double yellow lines in the oncology car park. Mr Johnson, who holds a blue badge, was at the hospital for an important test as part of his ongoing life-prolonging cancer treatment.
Having searched the car park eight times without finding a parking space, he chose to park on double yellow lines, a practice permitted for up to three hours for blue badge holders. He ensured his vehicle was not causing any obstruction.
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Despite submitting an appeal alongside a supporting letter from his oncologist requesting the charge be waived, Mr Johnson now faces demands from debt collectors for £150.
“I appealed to Saba, but they responded saying if I couldn’t find a parking bay, I should have left the car park,” he said. “I wasn’t there for shopping; I was undergoing treatment to try to prolong my life. Leaving wasn’t an option.”
Mr Johnson also pointed out a lack of clear signage within the car park, noting that the nearest sign was located some distance away. “Even ambulances pick up patients on those double yellow lines,” he added. “The onus is on Saba to ensure proper signage, but it isn’t adequate.”
His sister, Carol Mustoe, expressed her outrage, describing Saba as “a bunch of bloody vultures circling a corpse” for their handling of the situation.
Mr Johnson is prepared to challenge the fine in court if necessary, criticising Saba’s complaint process and their use of photographs from unrelated car parks to support their case.
He has raised the matter with his MP, Cameron Thomas, who has engaged Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust regarding the fine. Mr Thomas emphasised the need for enforcement actions to be sensitive to the circumstances of vulnerable hospital visitors.
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said they were sorry to hear of Mr Johnson’s situation and highlighted their commitment to accessibility, particularly for cancer patients and blue badge holders. They confirmed that Saba manages parking enforcement and that they are reviewing the circumstances to ensure reasonable adjustments for disabled patients are upheld.
Saba has been contacted for comment.