A company responsible for enforcing parking rules in the oncology car park at Cheltenham General Hospital has faced severe criticism after issuing a parking fine to a disabled cancer patient undergoing vital treatment.
Steve Johnson, 69, from Bishop’s Cleeve, received a £40 parking charge notice from Saba in January after parking on double yellow lines at the hospital’s oncology car park. Mr Johnson was attending an appointment for a test as part of ongoing treatment aimed at prolonging his life.
Despite holding a blue badge, Mr Johnson said he was unable to find a legal parking space after driving around the car park multiple times. He believes parking on the double yellow lines was justified, as he understood blue badge holders are permitted to park for up to three hours in such areas, provided they do not cause obstruction.
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“I made sure I wasn’t causing any obstruction,” he explained. “The private ambulances that pick people up stop there; it’s not as though the space isn’t used.”
He added that there were no signs clearly indicating that parking was prohibited in that area, with the nearest signage located across the car park. He also highlighted the impracticality of parking far from the oncology unit, especially when attending a medical appointment.
Following the fine, Mr Johnson appealed and submitted a supporting letter from his oncologist requesting the charge be waived. However, his appeal was rejected, with the company advising that if he could not find a parking bay, he should have left the car park. The parking charge has since been escalated, and debt collectors are now pursuing a total of £150.
“It’s not like I was there shopping for the latest fashion,” Mr Johnson said. “I was there for treatment to try to prolong my life. Leaving the car park was not an option.”
His sister, Carol Mustoe, expressed outrage at the handling of the situation, describing the parking firm as “a bunch of bloody vultures circling a corpse.”
Determined to contest the fine, Mr Johnson is prepared to take the matter to court if necessary. “They threaten to involve solicitors, which would increase costs, but I’ve already found their complaints procedure to be ineffective. They’ve even sent me photos of car parks I’ve never visited – it seems more about padding their case,” he said.
Mr Johnson has raised the issue with his MP, Cameron Thomas, who has since contacted Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust regarding the case.
Speaking on the matter, Mr Thomas said: “Hospital car parks must be managed, but enforcement should be reasonable and take individual circumstances into account, especially for vulnerable visitors. I have written to the trust seeking clarity on how third-party contractors are overseen to ensure humane treatment of those requiring these facilities, particularly since these services are publicly funded.”
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust commented: “We are sorry to hear about Mr Johnson’s parking fine and its escalation to debt collectors. We take accessibility very seriously and understand the difficulties patients with mobility challenges face, particularly those attending cancer treatment. Our parking systems are designed to accommodate patients requiring access, including blue badge holders and those with oncology permits, which are valid in designated areas. Parking and related enforcement activities are managed by our contractor, Saba. We are currently reviewing the specific circumstances of this case to ensure our policies are applied fairly and reasonable adjustments are made where necessary.”
Saba has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond.