Concerns that elderly and less mobile visitors and patients at Ross hospital may be penalised for parking incorrectly were raised last week. Two separate callers to the Ross Gazette drew attention to the changes in the rules regarding parking at Ross Community Hospital and both callers asked the Gazette to help make people more aware of where they can and cannot park.

One reader, Lesley Colquhoun of Bromsash was taking her 84-year-old mother for an appointment. She dropped her off at reception, signing in at 10.50 then went to park the car. The car park was full and there were no free bays, however there was room behind another car. She needed to get back to help her mother so she parked. She told the Ross Gazette there were no yellow lines, she was not blocking anyone in and there was ample room for vehicles to pass. She also displayed her Mother's Disabled Blue Badge. When she returned to the car she found a parking ticket.

She believes that the only prominent notice about parking is the one indicating that all users need to report to reception.

She said:?"The impression, then, is that failure to report to reception is the only criteria for being clamped or receiving a parking notice". This is not the case, cars have to be parked in designated bays.

In a similar incident retired GP, Dr Wallace was being taken to Ross Community Hospital for an emergency ECG. As he has mild dementia and heart problems, the lady driving him did not want to, either leave him to wait at reception while she found a space or make him walk after finding a space. So she parked in a similar place to Ms Colquhoun, on the access road into the car park.

She too was shocked to return, after signing in at reception, to discover a parking ticket.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.