Raising parking standards

Parking is now accepted as an important aspect for healthcare facilities to take into consideration when providing the best overall experience for staff, patients and visitors.

The British Parking Association (BPA) recognises there are specific and often very emotive issues involved in managing parking in the healthcare sector. We are continuing to develop guidance and networking opportunities for those involved in this sector.

CHARTER FOR HOSPITAL PARKING
The BPA’s Charter for Hospital Parking, published last year, continues to attract supporting organisations including NHS Trusts, suppliers and car park operators.

The BPA believes in raising standards in the parking sector and delivering a professional service to motorists. Both NHS Trusts and car park operators recognise the importance of car parking policy in terms of the wider transport strategy and the need to manage traffic and parking in accordance with demand and environmental concerns. They also recognise the importance of professionalism in carrying out their services and the delivery of customer care. In particular, the delivery of safe car parking for hospital users is paramount.  

Over 50 organisations have now added their names to the list which is available to view on the BPA website
www.britishparking.co.uk

MEETING TO DEBATE PARKING
The most recent BPA Healthcare Parking Special Interest Group meeting took place at Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust on 20 April.

Kelvin Reynolds, BPA director of technical services, opened the meeting by leading a review of the BPA charter. Recommendations for updating and broadening the scope of the charter were made by meeting attendees and continue to be sought. We would welcome your feedback which should be sent to Dave Smith dave.s@britishparking.co.uk.

Keith J. Sammonds of the Healthcare Facilities Consortium (HFC) then presented their recently launched ‘Healthcare Parking Good Practice Guide’ and discussed how this closely ties in with the BPA’s Charter for Hospital Parking. Keith explained how the guide is number 11 in the series originally funded by the UK Department of Health to support and develop good practice within the healthcare facilities environment.

It has been developed with input from some two dozen NHS organisations as well as the BPA, NHS Confederation, Which? and the industry, and covers all aspects of parking management for the wide range of healthcare premises from GP practices, through drop in and health centres to the largest of acute hospitals.

The guide follows the patient journey from pre-attendance information, access and signage, alternatives to car usage, through charging and concessions, to payment methods and routing off the premises.

It also looks forward with note of the need to include provision for electric vehicle charging points in any infrastructure schemes being planned. In line with the other ten guides, checklists are included to assist the premises or facilities manager to review current practice for minimum standards, development towards good practice and suggestions for better practice.

The group then took part in an in-depth discussion looking at the current benchmarking taking place in healthcare parking and discussed how this might be extended to provide those managing parking with useful reference material and the ability to measure their performance.

GETTING THE RIGHT BALANCE
A second discussion took place examining the ways in which healthcare sites can predict demand for parking. Methods of managing peak traffic flows were also discussed including how sites calculate the ratio of spaces provided for staff, patients, and visitors and whether they consider the current ratio is balanced.

There was also discussion about the way forward for the group and the ongoing support NHS Trusts require to make managing their parking facilities easier and more efficient. The BPA will be implementing resources in conjunction with its NHS members over the coming year.  

The afternoon session focused on methods and legal issues involved in parking enforcement at healthcare sites.
Hosts Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust provided an interesting case study, followed by a private car park operator view from Clare Wood of Vinci Park Services. Roxburghe, a debt collection agent, then provided an insight into the types of technology currently used in parking enforcement.

PROTECTION OF FREEDOMS BILL
Kelvin Reynolds returned to give an update on the parts of the ‘Protection of Freedoms Bill' which is likely to have a significant impact on healthcare parking.

The Bill, which was published by the Home Secretary Theresa May in February 2011, contains provisions to ban clamping and towing away on private land ‘without lawful authority.’

However, the Bill proposes the introduction of keeper liability in respect of ticketing, but only in certain circumstances. It proposes an exception for essential relocation of vehicles but effectively at no charge to the motorist. The police will be given new powers to remove vehicles from private land.

The BPA is currently looking at the provisions contained within the Bill and is evaluating their effect on members, motorists, landowners and other stakeholders.

The BPA is in close communication with the Home Office and the Department for Transport (DfT) and is examining the various assessments that they have undertaken to determine whether it is considered that they have sufficiently recognised the detrimental impact of the Bill.

There was also discussion about the way forward for the group and the ongoing support NHS Trusts require to make managing their parking facilities easier and more efficient. The BPA will be implementing resources in conjunction with its NHS members over the coming year.  

The BPA will be looking at how to provide this information to its members and those involved in healthcare parking over the coming months.

FUTURE DEBATES
The next meeting of the Healthcare Parking Special Interest Group will be a joint event with the BPA’s Higher Education Parking Group on 2 June in Birmingham.

Provision of disabled parking and gaining a better understanding of the requirements of disabled motorists will be a key agenda topic and Disabled Motoring UK (formerly Mobilise) will attend to give a presentation on behalf of their members.

Carbon reduction targets will also be discussed and a presentation on provision of electric vehicle charging points and funding initiatives available for installation will also feature. For further details and to register your interest in this event please visit our website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.britishparking.co.uk