A hard-up student mum is facing a growing fine for failing to buy a parking ticket at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings.
Emily Westley didn't have any cash on her when she took her 11-year-old son, who was on crutches, for a fracture clinic appointment.
She went inside the hospital to the cash machine, but was unable to withdraw any money.
She decided to keep the appointment and when she found a ticket on her car on her return she appealed, explaining her predicament on the day.
However, the County Parking Enforcement Agency told her last week that her appeal had been turned down and she had 14 days to pay the £40 fine or it would increase to £80.
She was also warned the matter may be passed to a debt collector or the County Court for further action incurring costs and interest.
"I am a university student who is living hand to mouth and cannot afford this fine," said mother-of-two Mrs Westley, 29, who lives in Blackman Avenue, St Leonards.
"What do they suggest a person in my position does? Carry my 11-year-old son and his crutches one mile from the nearest free parking?
"This is just unacceptable. I had no alternative option available to me at the time and it seems as though it is just a way to get money out of people who inevitably are at their most vulnerable when attending the hospital.
"Places such as St Michael's Hospice don't even charge you to park when visiting your loved ones or attending their events or having treatment and they are a charity!
"I think County Parking and the hospital trust should be exposed for their draconian attitude towards people who are not on an outing with their family, but indeed parking at a hospital!"
Challenging the fact parking charges are imposed at all, law student Mrs Westley went on: "I think that it is a disgrace to have to pay to park when in need of medical treatment. I also find it an absolute insult that the ticket says 'parked in a private car park'. As far as I am aware the taxpayers (of which I have always been until nine months ago and my husband still is) pays for the NHS and the hospitals, including the hospital grounds, then we pay council tax which contributes to it and car tax, so they want me to pay to park on land which I have paid for three times already!"
Mrs Westley has now protested to County Parking and asked for information about taking the matter further if possible to an independent tribunal or ombudsman.
However, a spokesman for the East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust told the Observer that appeals were considered jointly by County Parking and the trust and there was no further appeals process available.
"If any patient or visitor has difficulty in paying for or finding a parking space they need to contact a member of the car parking team," he said. "They are able to use their discretion given the particular circumstances or offer assistance to find a space."
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