‘Confusing’ John Radcliffe Hospital parking rules explained

Under new rules introduced earlier this year, Blue Badge users must now scan a bar code at a parking kiosk and enter a vehicle registration at the Headington site.

While parking is still free for disabled people, the rules have been branded ‘confusing’ by Oxford hospital patients and visitors.

There is a £100 fee for inappropriate parking in Blue Badge spaces, reduced to £60 if paid within two weeks, but holders who don’t register their badge can get this fee.

Once you have registered your Blue Badge you can drive in and and out of the hospital site for up to six months without registering again.

There are two dedicated Blue Badge holder car parks: in front of the children’s hospital (for west wing and children’s hospital) and between the main entrance and car park 2 (for the main hospital and women’s centre).

‘Regular attendees’ are also entitled to free parking.

This means those attending radiotherapy, chemotherapy, renal dialysis, transplant sessions, and dermatology.

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John Radcliffe Hospital parking (Image: Antony Moore)

The car parking office can also make special arrangements for families of patients of very ill patients, in the critical care unit, intensive care unit, and paediatric intensive care unit.

For the main hospital and the women’s centre the public car parks are car park 2, 2A and L.

For patients and visitors to the west wing and children’s hospital they are advised to go to car park 3 and 3a.

Up to 30 minutes is free, up to one hour is £2.20, up to two hours is £2.70, up to three hours is £3.70, up to four hours is £6.20, up to six hours is £8 and up to 12 hours in the day is £15.

Up to 12 hours overnight (from 8pm to 8am) is only £2.

Visitors and patients can pay at the car park or on the Evology Parking app.

Construction is ongoing at the women’s centre at the hospital so those who can are advised to take the park and ride to the hospital.

ANPR has been operating at the John Radcliffe, Churchill, and NOC visitor car parks for over two years. All spaces are now covered by ANPR, hence the change around scanning blue badges.

The hospital has warned that there are still routes around the congestion charge and incoming school streets so drivers should not have to pay either of those fees.

If a Blue Badge holder needs assistance, they can telephone the travel and transport team via the switchboard, 0300 304 7777

In addition, some departments and areas can input this blue badge data as well, and other departments can email on behalf of our patients – OUH has asked that people speak to the team they’re visiting for help.