Blue Badge holders at risk of parking ticket at NHS trusts

Those living with a disability or health condition could be entitled to free parking at hospitals using their Blue Badge. The Blue Badge scheme enables eligible people to park nearer to their destination. Changes to the scheme in 2019 also extended eligibility to more people with 'hidden' disabilities, qualifying them for free parking.

Moreover, the badge is associated with the individual who claims it, not a specific vehicle, meaning it can be used in any car in which the claimant is travelling, including taxis and hired cars, either as a driver or passenger. The Blue Badge also permits holders to park for free in a wide range of car parks and on double yellow lines.

Generally, a Blue Badge should allow free parking at any given NHS trust or hospital. However, different locations may have varying rules for Blue Badge holders compared to other similar institutions.

Consequently, you should always verify the rules of a specific hospital or trust beforehand to avoid receiving a parking ticket. For instance, some hospitals may require all Blue Badge holders visiting the site to first register their badge with reception before granting them a disabled parking space for free.

While many hospitals provide designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders, there may be instances where these are fully occupied. In such cases, the hospital or trust might permit the Blue Badge holder to park in another bay without charge, but this is not always guaranteed, so it's crucial to verify the hospital's policy beforehand.

You might receive a parking ticket for parking in a disabled space at an NHS trust or hospital despite possessing a Blue Badge. There could be a variety of reasons why a ticket was issued, so it's vital that you first speak with the NHS trust about any steps you need to follow before free parking is provided.

Moreover, if you've received a parking ticket that you believe is unjustified, you might want to think about sending an appeal. The method of appeal will vary depending on who issued the ticket, whether it's the police, local council, or a private firm.

Typically, you'll need to contact whoever issued the ticket start the appeal process. More information on your options if you wish to challenge a ticket can be found on Citizens Advice here.

To avoid a parking ticket, it's crucial to display your Blue Badge correctly when parking in a disabled space. Always ensure your Blue Badge is visible either on the dashboard or the facia panel through the windscreen.

If there's no dashboard, the badge should be placed where it can be clearly seen from outside the vehicle.

Moreover, for the badge to be valid, it must meet several criteria:

• The front of the badge should face upwards
• The hologram should be visible
• The side with the photograph should not be visible through the windscreen
• Details on the front of the badge should be legible

If the badge holder is blind, they must make sure that anyone displaying the badge for them knows how to do so properly. Failure to display the badge according to guidelines could result in a parking fine or penalty charge notice.