Isle of Wight Council are to cover the costs of parking for NHS patients travelling to the mainland for treatment from today (Tuesday 3rd May).
The council will refund the full amount of a parking session to customers paying by PayByPhone (via their account) or through pay and display (through BACS).
The car parks that the scheme will apply to are:
- Quay Road, Ryde
- River Road, Yarmouth
Jordan: A small but simple change we can make
Cabinet lead for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure, Cllr Phil Jordan, said,
“I have brought this forward with the help and assistance of our parking services team so that residents of our Island can be free of the worry and some of the costs associated with their medical treatment on the mainland at critical times in their lives.
“I have been made very aware that simple changes to ferries, treatment and unforeseen delays can add to the worries and concerns of those people undergoing treatment and relieving the related parking pressures is a small but simple change we can make.
“Worry-free parking for patients who therefore need to leave the Island for treatment is a welcome and positive outcome and one we are very pleased to be able to offer for our Island community.”
How to apply for a parking refund
Within 28 days of the appointment date the NHS patient would need to send through a copy of their NHS appointment letter and the Pay and Display ticket or provide the registration number for which payment was made if they have used PayByPhone.
Documentation can be sent by email to [email protected] or by post to PO Box 239, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 9FQ.
Parking Services will then check the information supplied and once verified issue the refund.
Exclusions
The following are excluded from the scheme and this mirrors the criteria in the IW NHS Trust cross Solent travel scheme:
- Patients travelling for private treatment
- Patients attending treatment at a private hospital
- Patients attending appointments with GPs, pharmacists, dentists, or opticians
- Patients in receipt of benefits which would entitle them to claim under the Hospital Travel Costs scheme
- Retrospective applications
The IoW NHS Trust currently offers a discount on cross travel for patients travelling to the mainland; full details are available online.
Parking in Cowes
Parking provisions are already in place for Cowes and East Cowes (extract below taken from the NHS Trust – Travel Discounts).
For those using the Red Jet we are lucky to be able to offer two car parking spaces at Cowes Harbour Commission. Call the Harbour Commission on 01983 293952 to enquire about availability.
Red Funnel also offer some limited parking for those attending hospital appointments. The client can make their own enquiry direct on 01983 292704.
Northwood House offer 4 free from charge parking spaces for any NHS patient travelling across the Solent for treatment. Call Cowes Town Council to arrange a space on 01983 209022.
Article edit
11.15am 4th May 2022 – Cowes info added
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
