A medical centre says patients were told about new parking rules after a number complained after being hit with fines. 

Creffield Medical Centre, on Cavalry Road, has a car parking system in place whereby patients at the practice must register their car details upon arrival.

But patients have complained they are unaware of the registration system and that neither the surgery nor the parking operator – UK Car Parking Management – have handled their appeals appropriately.

A spokesman for the surgery says signs have been put everywhere around the car park and a member of staff has been assigned to direct people.

Dr Chowhan, who is a senior partner at the medical centre, said staff are “incredibly helpful” and issues with the letters should be taken with the car park’s management.

He added: “You cannot be responsible for people not reading the signs that is why we have someone literally directing them.

“We have been here for ten years and we have had people park their car to go to town, go shopping, walk their dogs, see their relatives on the estate.

“Having had this system in place means our car park is reserved for our patients only.”

One patient faced a £160 fine after refusing to pay the initial £60, and said UK Car Parking Management had ignored her letters and phone calls.

A second patient, Liz Peacock, is now going through a similar ordeal.

She said: “Obviously I wasn’t well when I went to the doctor.

“I heard a vague reference about putting your registration in somewhere but nobody actually told me about it – I left with my antibiotics and the next thing I know I have the parking fine.

“The surgery said ‘Don’t worry, we know you were there as a patient and we will send you a letter so you can overturn it’ – then you appeal to the car park operator and they just give you the standard reply.”

Mrs Peacock explained she got back in touch with the surgery explaining nothing had been done – but wasn’t offered further help.

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