NHS Staff Told Pay £12.8 Million in Parking Fines for Parking at Work

District Judge Clare Coates, at Cardiff County Court last week, ruled that nurses and doctors parking outside of wales’ biggest hospital were to pay out a £12.8 million fine, at around £150,000 each.

As a result of the three-day trial small claims ruling, staff may lose their homes and consequently their jobs. The staff at University Hospital of Wales lost the legal fight against private car park operator Indigo.

The figures amount to £128 for each ticket amassed over the years they were parking there, and £26,000 in legal fees as they have tried to tight the charges form the beginning.

Over 100,000 parking tickets were left unpaid, which altogether hits around £12.8 million owed to Indigo. The car park in question has 1,800 spaces, but there are 6000 staff at the hospital, not to mention the number of visitors who get precedence.

According to the Daily mail campaigner Sue Prior criticized the health board, saying: “This ruling is devastating for doctors and nurses across the country.

“They have permitted a private parking company to do this. There is no common sense anywhere.

“At the moment we just need to sit back and assess what we are going to do because it costs money to appeal. It was like David and Goliath – and David lost.”

The case was a three-day trial in the small claims court, consisting of three lead cases but the result was binding on 72 others, meaning everyone must now pay up.

Campaigner Prior says staff have already began handing in their notices.

One anonymous nurse had this to say: “We heard yesterday we are now personally accountable for thousands of pounds of hiked up car parking fees for a car park where the majority can’t even get a permit to park.

“Personally, I am a nurse and a single parent. I had to move back to live with my parents due to financial difficulties. I already have hefty debt and am in a debt management scheme, but this is the final nail in the coffin.

“How are we supposed to do our jobs properly if we are constantly worrying about these extortionate car parking fees? I have no idea how I will pay the costs and am distressed beyond belief.”

Do you think they should have paid the fines from the start and parked elsewhere or that it was right to fight the charges?