ANPR to be introduced at Ipswich Hospital
It's said it'll make parking easier
Last updated 12th Mar 2021
New parking technology is being introduced at Ipswich Hospital to make it easier and more convenient for everyone to park.
The hospital team is introducing an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system from Tuesday 6 April this year.
The biggest benefit for visitors and patients is that new payment machines are being introduced which will allow them to pay for parking using their bank card or their mobile phone, as well as cash.
Car parking charges and exemptions remain the same.
Paul Fenton is Director of Estates and Facilities for North Essex and East Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, the organisation which runs Ipswich Hospital.
He said:
"Many of our patients and visitors have told us how much better their experience of visiting would be if we had different payment options, so we are really pleased to be able to introduce this flexibility.
"It also means people will only pay for the time they spend on site. They will no longer need to guess how long they may be, as this has in the past meant visitors overestimate their stay and pay more than necessary."
It is important that blue badge holders register their badge and vehicle with the hospital team, just once, to make sure they are not charged.
This can be done by emailing travel.plan@esneft.nhs.uk before they visit, or by going to the South Finance department (signposted on the ground floor of the hospital’s south wards corridor).
ANPR technology is also being introduced in the hospital staff car parks, but car parking at the hospital remains free for staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in line with national Government guidance.
Anyone with questions about parking at Ipswich Hospital can email travel.plan@esneft.nhs.uk Helpers will be on hand in the car parks for the first couple of weeks after the ANPR launch to help visitors with questions.
Visiting restrictions remain in place at the hospital to keep everyone safe during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.