Healthwatch CEO Was Informed of Blue Badge Charges After Press Announcement

Published on: 18 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 20 Aug, 2017

Healthwatch Surrey, the organisation that represents user views on healthcare services, was not consulted by the Royal Surrey County Hospital before its announcement that £4 parking charges for blue badge holders would commence in October.

Kate Scribbins, chief executive of Healthwatch Surrey, said: “Healthwatch Surrey was only made aware of the Royal Surrey announcement to begin parking charges for blue badge holders after the press release was issued.

“We would always urge any provider considering a change to engage with patients and representative groups to assess what impact the changes will have and how these can be mitigated.

“Healthwatch does not speak on behalf of everyone and it’s important that providers talk directly to those who will be most heavily affected.

“We are disappointed to hear that the Royal Surrey has not talked direct to disability groups before announcing this change.

“Questions around exemptions, how clearly and accessibly this will be publicised and communicated, accessibility of the process to claim exemptions and whether this can be done before parking payments are made rather than as a retrospective claim will be very important and should be discussed direct with affected patients and their representatives.

A spokesperson from the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust responded: “The trust accepts that it did not engage with disability groups or Healthwatch Surrey prior to the announcement, but nor is it required to do so.

“However, the trust did engage with its Council of Governors, who represent both its members and patients, during which mixed opinions were shared and all views were heard and taken into account. The trust also completed a rigorous quality impact assessment before the final and difficult decision was taken to introduce charges for blue badge holders.

“The blue badge scheme helps disabled people with severe mobility problems to park close to services or facilities they want or need to access. Concessions under this scheme do not apply to off-street car parks, including those at supermarkets and hospitals, or privately owned roads e.g. at airports.

“It is important to stress that any patient who is entitled to have their parking costs reimbursed will continue to receive free parking as they do now. Our parking charges will be based on affordability for all patients including blue badge holders.

“To support blue badge holders, the trust will be installing two new accessible payment machines and of course the car parking team will be around help anyone experiencing difficulty using the machines.

“Users can also use the ‘Way to Park’ app, which the Trust introduced earlier this year.”

Healthwatch Surrey advises anyone who has any concerns about this or any other health or social care issue to contact it on 0303 303 0023, or via its website, www.healthwatchsurrey.co.uk.”

In our story published yesterday Royal Surrey to Introduce Parking Charges for the Disabled, it was reported that the Royal Surrey hospital had “liaised” with Surrey Healthwatch. The hospital and Healthwatch Surrey have asked it to be pointed out that although there was communication it should not be described as liaison. The original article has been corrected.

Share This Post