Fined for taking injured to A&E
I am a first aider at Robert Hopkins Environmental Services Ltd. On July 11 an operative was injured and required hospital treatment to a severe laceration to his leg. As the wound was bleeding severely I took the gentleman to Sandwell A&E immediately in my own car, but had to park in a resident's parking space as near to the A&E entrance as there were no other parking spaces available.
I physically had to help him into the hospital for treatment. The whole "booking in" exercise took no longer than 10 minutes. I then returned to my car which was parked by the Churchill Tavern and found that a parking fine had been issued. There was a warden on a motor scooter still on the street, I approached her and explained the situation,
I could not have driven around to find a parking space because of the state of the gentleman's leg. She told me that if I went back into the hospital and asked for a letter of proof from the reception verifying that I had just taken a casualty in, I may not have to pay the fine.
She told me that she was aware of how long I had been in the A&E, but still obviously had issued the ticket. She then said that I could take proof along to the office in West Bromwich in respect of an appeal against the parking fine.
I returned to the hospital and asked for proof that I had been in there. Unfortunately they said at the desk that they could not supply me with a letter and said there was a notice telling people not to ask for such an item.
I feel the whole parking system at Sandwell Hospital is an absolute disgrace. There were plenty of empty residential spaces available and the amount of time it took me to help my colleague into the hospital was minutes.
I wonder where people's common sense has gone and as Mrs Summan stated in an item in this paper, these wardens are loitering ready to pounce on the roads surrounding the hospital. It is utterly shameful. What sort of people are Sandwell employing these days?
The parking fine has been paid.
Mrs M Bourne, Hill Top, West Bromwich.
