We all know parking is an issue at most hospitals and the car park at Potters Bar Community Hospital is especially tiny and always very busy.
I arrived for my son's appointment (about 10 minutes early) and the car park was totally full with lots of people up on verges and kerbs instead of spaces. I decided to stop for a minute in a disabled space to drop my son off so he wouldn't be late.
I ran in (stressed and concerned about blocking a space). I left my son with the people on the Moorfield Eye Clinic reception and went to the main reception to explain what I wanted to do as I didn't know the area at all and needed to be pointed to somewhere I could park. But instead of helping or even listening she began a 'learned piece' (quoting the website as she said) about not bringing cars.
She made me feel like I had to justify bringing my car before I was allowed to continue with the point of the query in the first place, and then wasted my time disagreeing with the justifications I suggested (such as having to come from the other side of the M25 and public transport not being up to those logistics) before she would even listen to what I was trying to ask, so I could remove my car from a presumably much needed disabled bay.
A small thing but frustrating and annoying. I didn't want to argue with someone, I wanted quick advice on how to resolve the situation so I could unblock a space someone else could better use and collect my 8 year old who was unhappy about being left with people he didn't know.
I'm sure parking complaints must be something they get a lot but people should listen before they assume they are being criticised and jump into defence mode.
"Unhelpful reception staff"
About: Potters Bar Community Hospital Potters Bar Community Hospital Potters Bar EN6 2RY
Posted by DaisyK8T (as ),
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