"Dissapointing - Parking Charge"

Anything else?

My Daughter recently attended Sunderland General as a Day Patient and she had an operation under general anaesthetic, I was told that she'd be realised at 6pm that evening if all went well. Sure enough I received a call from my partner who stayed with my daughter all day to say that they we're ready to be collected so I set off from Gateshead and arrived at Sunderland General at around 6:20pm, when I got there I expected to see my daughter and partner waiting for me however there was no sign of them, I called my partner and she said there was a delay with the doctor but they wouldn't be too long so I pulled into an empty parking bay and waited, obliviously to any signs, meters and cameras. After about 25mins my daughter and partner came out of the Day Unit, got in the car and then we drove off home. A couple of weeks later I received a ParkingEye Parking Charge Notice for £40 for staying in the car park for around 31minutes, this will go up to £70 if I don't pay (due on the 24th Oct), I'm still debating whether or not to pay? I have to be honest here and say that I never bought a ticket but also I genuinely never notice any signs or even parking meters from the bay I pulled into close by the Day Unit and at no point did I leave my vehicle, I feel really disappointed though as I feel these charges are unlawful after all if you don't see the sign how can you agree to any of the charges in this Private Car Park, I also think that Sunderland hospital should be sending out information with any correspondence to inform patients that if the use their Car Park then they are entering a Contract with a Private Parking Company. I also think that they need to erect a very big sign at the entrance to make drivers stop, exit the vehicle to read the terms and conditions before they decide to use the parking? No-one likes to visit hospitals as it's usually under stressful situations and most of us hard working individuals have contributed to the NHS for years so that our families can be looked after in times of need but it saddens me see that it's the same hardworking people that constantly get ripped off time and time again. Can you let me know if anything can be done to get this charge/invoice cancelled as I don't agree with the ParkingEye Contract as I never seen or read any signs, terms and conditions. Also what is your policy on drop off and collection of Patients, is there any time limits or specific areas set aside for this?