Beaconsfield Medical Practice 2015-01-27 Person 4 5 0

I have just received a parking fine for dropping someone at the surgery to collect a prescription and waiting for them in the car, parked appropriately in a space, while it was written and then processed. As a patient for over 10 years, I have not received any notification of any parking changes in any written or verbal form, so it would not occur to me to look at the parking board when I parked. On my last personal visit to the GP nothing was highlighted to me about parking changes. On the occasion that I received the fine, I had to wait 26 minutes for my friend which is apparently over the allotted time. Had I known, I would have gone up to reception and registered my car there. These parking companies are very heavy handed and to receive a fine notification of £100 for helping a friend is shocking and upsetting. I think all patients should be notified by either letter, email or text and this highlighted. Clearly I wont be paying it but have spent the best part of an afternoon trying to gather information in order to appeal and it is hugely upsetting. I appreciate that parking is an issue, which is why I waited in the car park in case it was necessary for me to move my car for any reason...and so I could collect my friend who has had recent back surgery and is barely able to walk. If you want me to register my car with you, I am happy to, but PLEASE highlight this change more clearly. What's going on in the car park is the last thing one is thinking about when visiting a GP or Pharmacy for whatever reason.