A Dundee woman has launched a furious tirade against the car park operators at Ninewells Hospital after her severely ill father was hit with a £60 fine.
Full-time care worker and mother of two Michelle Brankin (31) is irate with Vinci Park, who she blasted as “heartless, ruthless and evil”.
She vented her anger after father David Adams (58), a retired police officer who suffers from emphysema, and mother Yvonne Adams (56) met doctors at the respiratory ward this week to discuss the prospect of a life-changing operation.
The couple drove to the hospital from their home in Downfield and searched for a disabled bay to park in, but all were taken. In desperation Mr Adams displayed his blue badge in the front window and his wife parked the car on the “drop-off” point near the entrance.
Mr Adams, who is registered disabled, struggles to walk any distance and requires an oxygen tank by his side. He is, according to Mrs Brankin, unable to walk 10 paces without assistance and is cared for by his wife.
The pair had thought that by displaying the blue badge they were permitted to park at the site. But Vinci Park thought otherwise and left a fine on the vehicle.
For Mrs Brankin the episode has left a sour taste in the mouth and she is now urging the firm to rescind the fine and to consider the thoughts of worried patients and their families.
“My parents went to the respiratory ward because my dad was going to find out if he qualified for life-saving surgery,” she said. “They were inside for less than half an hour and when they came out they found that they had been fined.
“Does this company not realise that the people who are going to this ward are often being hit with devastating news and for them to then come out and be hit with a fine is bloody ridiculous?’Heartbreak'”I think Vinci should sell their contract and give it to another company who understand what people are going through because at the minute they are making money of people’s poor health and heartbreak.
“They have no compassion.”
Mrs Brankin, who was not at the appointment, was called at home only moments after her parents realised they had been fined. In floods of tears, her distressed mother told her what had happened.
“If there is no available parking where are disabled people supposed to park?” she continued. “It is a respiratory ward some of these patients can’t walk 30 paces never mind park far away.
“I think I am so angry because firstly the blue badge was on display and secondly there was a complete lack of compassion from the firm. Whatever happened to human kindness?”
Despite Mrs Brankin’s plea, Vinci Park, which has come under scrutiny since a series of complaints were made against them from visitors, made no mention of tearing up the fine when contacted by The Courier.
“Thank you for alerting us to Ms Brankin’s experience,” said a spokesperson for the firm. “We are very happy to discuss her case with her if she contacts us direct, particularly as parking charge notices are £10 if paid within 24 hours and £20 if paid within 28 days.”
Blue badge holders are given special dispensation to park on single or even double yellow lines without any time limit, except where there is a ban on loading or unloading, according to Scottish Government guidelines.
It adds that it is the badge holder’s responsibility to check they are not parking illegally and that if unsure the holder should check with the local authority.