Volunteer driver 'shocked' at hospital parking fine

A VOLUNTEER driver who was fined while helping an elderly patient at Darlington Memorial Hospital has had his parking fine scrapped after the Mercury stepped in.
Mike Courtley, who has ferried patients to Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Durham and North Tees hospitals for the past three years, was issued the ticket while helping a woman get around the hospital on Thursday, February 23. It is the first time the Barnard Castle resident has been fined while undertaking volunteer driver duties.
He said: “It was a bit of a shock. It is elderly people so you can’t just drop them at the front door.  To me, you are not just a chauffeur, you are there to help.
“The trouble is you go there, and I think there are only three or four volunteer spaces, and more often than not they are full. I’ve seen police and taxis taking them up and that’s not right.
“It makes you angry. You give up your time and you try to park as near as you can because they are old people and they can’t walk far. It really annoys you.
“It makes you wonder why you do it at all.”
The 81-year-old said the person who issued the ticket should have realised he is a volunteer driver because he keeps a large sign on the dashboard of his car.
The fine was for £25, which would have been reduced to £15 if paid within 14 days.
The former farmer is paid 45p per mile as his expenses.
He said: “You get nothing for your time – you can be sat two or three hours but you meet some nice people.”
Hospital officers say that while Mr Courtley’s car was parked in a restricted area which must be clear for ambulances, they would scrap the fine.
The decision came after the Teesdale Mercury became involved in reporting the case.
A hospital spokesperson said: “We provide a number of parking facilities for our volunteer drivers at Darlington Memorial Hospital and recognise the valuable service they provide for our patients.
“Unfortunately on this occasion the vehicle in question whilst displaying the appropriate notice in the window was parked in a restricted area, which must be kept clear for emergency ambulance access.
“The car parking staff do have the discretion to allow drop-off and pick-up provided there is no obstruction but on this occasion the vehicle was left for nearly an hour.
“We have, on this occasion, and as a gesture of goodwill, rescinded the parking fine for Mr Courtley.”