National award for Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s car park

Stoke Mandeville Hospital has become only the second hospital in the UK to scoop a top parking standard award.
The entrance to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which is owned by the Bucks NHS TrustThe entrance to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which is owned by the Bucks NHS Trust
The entrance to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which is owned by the Bucks NHS Trust

The hospital, part of Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust, was awarded the Disabled Parking Award for having ‘clear signage, ease of access and good lighting’.

It also has ‘sufficient’ parking bays, accessible payment machines, alternative payment methods and ‘effective enforcement’ of the disabled parking policies.

The award comes after assessments from UK Parking Control and Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK).

Foyleside Shopping Centre car park in Derry, Northern Ireland, was the first to receive the award.

Clinton Green, director of property services at Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are thrilled to have achieved the standards required for the Disabled Parking Award.

“Providing facilities suitable for people with disabilities - such as accessible parking bays and offering free parking to blue badge holders - is a huge priority for us.

“Not only because the National Spinal Injuries Centre is based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital but to help us continue to deliver the safe and compassionate care we promise each of our patients.”

Helen Dolphin, director of policy and campaigns at the DMUK, said car parks which achieve the award are flagged up online so disabled people can confidently arrive at a hospital.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted that Stoke Mandeville Hospital’s car park has reached the standard to be awarded the DPA.

“It is great to know that disabled people visiting Stoke Mandeville Hospital will all be able to park with ease.”

Simon Snelgrove, director at UKPC, said: “We are absolutely delighted how the team at Stoke Mandeville Hospital embraced this vitally important parking initiative and congratulate them for taking the lead and achieving the DPA standard.”