A PENSIONER is warning people about a GP surgery's new parking system after he was "caught out" and hit with a fine.
Anthony Hall claims he did not receive an email about the changes to the parking system at Kidderminster Medical Centre, which requires patients to now register their car's number plate on computers at the building, and didn't see any signage about the changes.
The 83-year-old said he recently was issued with a fine of £60, which he said would increase to £100 if not paid before October 1, after he failed to input his registration details.
He said: "When I was nabbed for 12 minutes collecting a prescription there was minimal signage in the building".
He claims that eight days later, when he revisited the building, it was "plastered with parking instructions".
He added: "They have made it foolproof now, but before it was easy to get caught out like I was. There's been lots of us".
There is still a dispute over the payment of the fine.
On October 1, Kidderminster Medical Centre issued a reminder about the new changes on Facebook.
They introduced the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system after patients raised concerns over people inappropriately using the car park to access to the town centre.
They said: "During our Surgery opening hours – to ensure you don’t get a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) Fine, when you arrive to use medical services at the surgery please register your vehicle number plate using the white computers available upon entrance to the building. This will allow you to park fine free whilst using the Surgery site for the duration of your appointment or enquiry.
"Any patient who has parked their vehicle and then walks away and leaves the surgery site to visit other areas will be issued with a fine, as parking is only available to patients for the duration of their medical appointment or enquiry.
"If you are parking for more than 15 minutes when using Pharmacy or coming into any part of the Surgery site for a medical enquiry please also register your vehicle number plate using the white computer in the main surgery waiting room".
They also shared details of how fines can be challenged if patients feel they parked appropriately.
They added: "If you have been issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) fine, but feel you were parked appropriately to use Medical Services at the Surgery please email hwicb.kmc-admin@nhs.net with your PCN Reference Number, the date, time and reason why you were parked at the Surgery along with a contact telephone number so we can investigate this matter for you.
"If you have been inappropriately issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) fine we will endeavour to get this cancelled".
Premier Parking, which operates the ANPR car park, did not wish to comment.
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