Hospital Car parking; good idea. Options

[GMR]

Today I went to Newbury Hospital for blood tests. I parked in their car park and Paid £1 for 4 hours. My daughter told me that when she last used the car park she gave her ticket to somebody else (as she had a few hours left over). So when I had finished I gave my ticket to somebody else. I also noticed that a lot of people coming out of the hospital asking others if they wanted their ticket.

Some people can afford it (car parking at the hospital) others can't so I had to write and mention the generosity of other drivers giving up their ticket to new arrivals.

I thought that was worth a mention.

[Jacklets]

I have a guilty secret - I enjoy a little ticket swapping too – both giving and receiving and not only in the hospital – I’ve even indulged in a bit of swapping in other pay & display car parks too. There’s many of us out there.

As far as the hospital is concerned, I completely agree that £1 for 4 hours is nothing – therefore I don’t do it in the hope that I’m helping someone less fortunate – and indeed, whilst I can afford to pay the money I’m more than happy to take one when offered. But for me, it’s simply about not wanting to see a perfectly useable ticket go to waste.

I’ve never seen this as “fiddling” the NHS out of much needed funds – I’ve always understood the car park is managed by an outside contractor, therefore I doubt that much of that £1 actually ends up with the NHS and benefits patient care – however if anyone can prove otherwise I’ll gladly stop doing it.

But in the meantime, I shall continue with my swapping habit and not waste time questioning my own morality when we daily hear stories of high earners rewarding themselves with big fat bonuses, avoiding taxes and being creative with expense claims – perhaps they should set us all a better example.

[Biker1]

As far as the hospital is concerned, I completely agree that £1 for 4 hours is nothing

Then why do they bother to charge it??

[Andy Capp]

Then why do they bother to charge it??

It might be to dissuade people from abusing the space.