Changes to concessionary car parking charges for patients and visitors
From April 2021, the Government has introduced new guidance on the provision of free car parking for certain groups of hospital patients and visitors. This means that the following people are now eligible to receive free parking at our hospitals:
-
Disabled people holding a valid Blue Badge
- Frequent outpatient attendees, defined as those who are required to attend hospital for an appointment at least three times within a month for at least three months.
- Parents or guardians of sick children staying overnight in the hospital
In addition to the above, and in line with our existing concessionary parking arrangements, the Trust will continue to offer:
- Free parking to patients with a life-long condition requiring two or more hospital visits per week (this mainly applies to our renal dialysis patients)
- Family visitors to a gravely ill inpatient a concessionary parking fee of £2.50 per day
- Family visitors to a relative with an extended stay in hospital beyond 21 days a concessionary parking fee of £2.50 per day
Blue Badge Holders
For Blue Badge holders to access free parking during office hours (see below), please take your blue badge and your vehicle's registration number to the General Office and your details be noted for free parking.
The General Office at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital is located next to the main reception. The General Office at Royal Preston Hospital is located inside the main entrance.
For those looking to register their vehicle out of hours (evenings and weekends), please email a photograph of your blue badge (both sides) and your vehicle registration details to CarPark.HelpDesk@lthtr.nhs.uk and the team will register your vehicle for free parking.
Registering your vehicle at either site will ensure you are covered for both Hospital sites
From 22/05/2024 A Blue Badge holder can register one car to their badge for the free parking concession. Should a badge holder attend in a different vehicle they have registered on the system, they will have to attend the General office in person and deregister the existing vehicle and add the new one.
If a hire car or courtesy is used at any time for whatever reason, the Blue Badge holder can contact the carpark team direct at CarPark.HelpDesk@lthtr.nhs.uk and it will be added for the time needed. In other words until you return the hire care. (This is extra to any car registrations previously registered)
The Blue Badge has an expiry date on which is the date the concession runs too.
When the blue badge holder receives their NEW badge that should then be re-registered with the General Office/Car Park Helpdesk.
All this information is available in printed format at either General Office.
Applying for a Parking Concession
Patients, relatives or carers who are eligible for free or concessionary parking will firstly need to speak to the clinical staff on the ward, clinic, or department to complete a form.
Any completed and endorsed car parking concessions certificate application forms can then be taken to the General Office.
The General Office will then process the application and issue the appropriate concession.
Only the General Offices can issue concessions or deal with travel expense claims.
Therefore, concessions can only be issued, and expense claims made during the times listed below.
Royal Preston Hospital
Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4.15pm
Friday, 9am – 4pm
Chorley and South Ribble Hospital
Monday – Thursday, 8.30am – 4.15pm
Fri, 8.30am – 3pm
The national NHS Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme (see www.nhs.uk) refunds reasonable travel costs of hospital patients if they or their partner are receiving a qualifying state benefit or allowance, or meet the eligibility criteria of the NHS Low Income Scheme. If eligibility criteria are met, travel and parking costs can be reimbursed by the hospital General Office, or by submitting the HC5 (T) form which is on the NHS Choices website.
