By Mark McLaughlin

THE SITE manager of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee has stressed that its parking policy is “compassionate” after a distressed mother was hit with a £10 penalty while her son was in the accident and emergency unit with a collapsed lung.

Doreen Hainey of Panmurefield became concerned when son Chris (17) came home with breathing difficulties and palpitations.

Rather than phone an ambulance she drove him to hospital and parked close to accident and emergency in one of the public car parks.

Chris (pictured) was found to have suffered from a spontaneous pneumothorax —a condition where the lung mysteriously collapses. The condition is most common in tall, thin young men.

Chris, who is 6ft 6, had to have his lung reinflated.

When Doreen returned to her car she found that a £10 parking penalty had been placed on the vehicle within five minutes of her parking.

It would be increased to £20 if she didn’t pay within 24 hours.

She said, “I was shocked. Finding money for a parking ticket is the last thing on your mind when you’re in the middle of an emergency.

“I didn’t even think to grab my purse, and when I got there I didn’t see the pay-and-display signs as I left the car. I think they could do with being a bit clearer.

“This car park used to be pay on exit similar to some of the other car parks in the hospital, which I think is a far better system for a hospital car park during an emergency.

“I also think it’s quite cynical to have the penalty double if you don’t pay it within 24 hours. It means you have to rush back to the hospital straight after a traumatic experience or face forking out more money.”

After relating her tale to Ninewells parking staff, the penalty was waived, but the family are still concerned about the distress the fine caused.

Ninewells site manager Brian Main said the hospital is sympathetic to the needs of patients but the fines and penalties are necessary to stop drivers abusing the facilities.

He added, “We have six parking spaces right at the front entrance of A&E for drivers to use in extreme emergencies. What we would expect people to do is park in these limited spaces until the emergency patient has been made comfortable, and then take their vehicle to one of the visiting spaces.”

He added, “We are aware that in an emergency people are not thinking clearly and may be inclined to park in the nearest available space.

“In these situations we will always waive the parking penalties once it has become clear that an emergency was being dealt with.”

Mr Main reviewed the pay and display signs in the Ninewells car park in response to the Hainey’s complaint.

He said, “We are satisfied that the signs are adequate.”