A PATIENT was left "shocked" when she received a parking fine after her visit to A&E.

Lisa Fox, who lives in Oxford, was slammed with two £25 parking fines after a visit to A&E in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) has used an automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) to manage its car parks at the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals since July 2021. But some patients, including blue badge holders, are being caught out.

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Mrs Fox explained she was "totally unaware" the hospital had moved to ANPR, she added that the ticket machine had been tapped off and the barriers were up.

Oxford Mail: Ticket machine at the JR. Picture: Lisa Fox

She said: "I was visiting A&E, I had to visit on two occasions over three days for the same injury and I wasn't aware. You do not concentrate when going to A&E you are just on autopilot."

The fines have been quashed and Mrs Fox feels the John Radcliffe Hospital has dealt with the situation well; however, she wants to make others aware of the parking system changes.

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In a post on the Facebook group 'Beautiful Barton', Mrs Fox said: "Please can I let people know that if you are going to the John Radcliffe Hospital they are now operating ANPR cameras. You must either pay on exit or within 24-hours.

"The fines are £25 even if you have a blue badge. The barriers are up and ticket machines tapped off, so it is very deceiving."

An OUH spokesperson said: “Since it was implemented, there have been signs on-site explaining this change, including at the payment machines, and the hospital receptions have small information cards for people who need more information.  Our website was also updated to reflect these changes. Drivers can also contact our travel and transport team by email - ANPR.Parking@oxnet.nhs.uk.”

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