Apologies were received from Councillor Meerabux.

The notes of the meeting on 31 August 2011 were agreed and signed.

The Committee had invited the Directors to the meeting in order to answer their queries on parking strategy at Watford General Hospital (WGH).  Eric Fehily tabled a document which addressed these queries and both directors also gave verbal answers to Members’ questions. 

How can patients and visitors make use of the concessions?

Eric Fehily had answered that eligible patients could request a concession form at the Patient Advice Liaison Service, the Front Reception and at ward receptions.  He advised that the Trust’s Car Parking Strategy had recently improved concession arrangements for the majority of patients.  Kyle McClelland added that three categories of concessions were currently available to patients and visitors: frequent users, long-term users and those giving active care to patients within the hospital. 

How is information on concessions communicated to patients and visitors?

Eric Fehily  advised that the availability of concessions was advised at each Pay and Display machine, on the hospital website, on display boards in each ward, at positions adjacent to lifts, on posters in well-used areas of the Trust and also on the concession application form.  

In reply to a query, Eric Fehily said that patients would need to ask whether they were entitled to concessionary parking and at that point they would be advised which concessions were available to them. 

Could the information be made more user-friendly – could this information be advised/communicated to patients and their families more simply

Eric Fehily considered that the recent review of parking concessions had made the categories more simple and he advised that the website included a simple table explaining permit types.   

The Chair pointed out that elderly patients were unlikely to have internet access.  She added that staff on the wards did not always inform patients of the concessions and suggested that a pamphlet could be prepared to outline availability. 

Eric Fehily responded that this type of pamphlet had already been prepared.  The Chair, however, confirmed that she had not seen any and asked whether the concessions applied to patients to Emergency services.   

Eric Fehily replied that A & E visitors would not necessarily qualify but that a pamphlet should be placed by each bed.  He advised that he would raise this issue at the hospital. 

Another Member noted that patients who had serious worries about their health were frequently unable to think coherently and would possibly miss the notices when their greatest concerns were their health problems.  

Eric Fehily stressed that the parking facility was not intended to be for the collection of extra revenue but to provide a service for visitors.  Kyle McClelland advised that charges could now be paid by phone; visitors could then top-up their payment by phone without the need to return to their vehicle. 

Concession information is very complicated – could these charges be explained to Members

Eric Fehily said that concessions were simple to understand as they had been narrowed to only three categories.  These were:

a)      Frequent Users who attended more than once each day or more than twice per  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To be confirmed

It was decided to hold the next meeting at 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday 2^nd November 2011.

Members suggested that the Patient Advice and Liaison Service be contacted to determine whether feedback has been received from visitors with regard to parking at the hospital.

            ACTION:         Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer