Gutted.

[mo]

We have just found out that our darling little youngest granddaughter Amelie of two and a half years has Arthritis.

We all feel devastated at this, happening to someone so young.

This isn't really what I opened this thread about....
It's about the ridiculas parking money that my daughter had to pay when parking her car at Addenbrookes hospital.
Her appointment with the doctor went over the three hours, therefore she had to pay £6 for parking fees.
Absolutely horrendous.
Something really ought to be done with the terrible parking fees one has to pay for hospital parking.

This will be many visits to the hospital so it seems one has to have plenty of money available for parking.

[jollyjack]

That IS shocking, I think most of the Scottish hospitals have stopped the parking charges, but it doesn't stop you getting a ticket if you park for more than 4hrs. When I had to attend regularly during my recent illness I was given a permit, perhaps that is an option for your daughter, she should ask.
So sad to hear of your granddaughter's illness and just hope that something can be done to ease this for her.

[dita]

So sorry to hear the news about Amelie, bless her what raw deal. Also,
These hospital carparks are a complete rip off, just making money out of vulnerable people who are in distress one way or another. In my area if we have to go to a Hull hospital we have also tolls to pay there and back, plus carpark. We live near the Humber Bridge.

[Monika]

I'm so sorry, mo, about Amelie. Poor little mite!

Is it something which she will eventually grow out of, or does she have to suffer indefinitely?
I don't know much about it in children but I imagine the pain must be the same at whatever age, something that doesn't bear thinking of!

As for the hospital charges, they are gross and should have been unthinkable but greed is so endemic in today's society that no-one bats an eyelid anymore, however outrageous the idea.

[dejavou]

So sorry about Amelie's news Mo, lets hope medical progress will be able to help her very soon.

And as for hospital parking fees, well it wouldn't be so bad if the money it generated made a difference to the hospital involved .... but no, it disappears into a black hole

[mo]

Thank you all for your replies.
Amelie started limping a while ago and complained of her left leg hurting, pointing to a little mark she had on her left ankle. It was a little later that our daughter noticed her right knee was swollen so she took her to the doctors who had blood tests and xrays taken. In the mean time Lisa was so worried she took Amelie to Addenbrookes after one of her friends said how great they were.

Tests came back as Arthritis but don't know the outcome yet. Her doctor was pleased she went to Addenbrookes and has now refered her to the clinic there.

Poor little Amelie is tired a lot and doesn't dance much like she use to as the pain in her left leg was the cause of her right knee being swollen and she was putting all her strength in her left leg.
All we hope is that it won't be that bad as they only found it in her right knee.
At the moment she is on strong medication and once that kicks in, she may get a bit more energy back.

[Penny]

I do hope that this turns out o.k. So sorry for the poor little mite. Bad enough when adults get it but for a little child, dreadful. Give her a big hug from us all and pass on our good wishes for the future.Same problem here with hospital parking, cost us £2.00 for 20 mins. Penny

[sweetpea]

So very sorry to hear of your little grand daughter's arthritis and hope things will get better for her.

We still have to pay hospital parking here in North Wales too, although I think in some parts of Wales it is now free.

[Dragon Lady]

Oh Mo, that's awful news! I know it can strike at any age and it's not uncommon in the very young.

I know the researchers are working very hard to find the cause and the cure and a lot of very good work in alleviating suffering goes on here in the Royal Mineral Water Hospital in Bath. This was, but I don't know if it still is, the only place in the country where people with Ankylosing Spondylitis could go for respite and treatment. Maybe some time in the future they will get to grips with this awful illness.

As to hospital parking - it's appalling! However, one of the problems in the past has been inconsiderate people using the free hospital car parks as park and rides to get to work!

[DaisyB]

Sorry to hear such awful news about Amelie Mo, poor little mite, it must be very distressing for her.

[Victors Mate]

Sorry to here your news Mo. Poor little Amelie.

Regading the parking it is all spelt out here including the alternatives and option

http://www.addenbrookes.org.uk/news/new ... arges.html

[Lacemaker]

I am so very sorry for your granddaughter, Mo. As the others have said, it is bad enough in an adult but for a child to suffer from arthritis is tragic.

[caroljoyce]

I just looked at VM's link. It seems like the shuttle bus would be a better idea. The return journey for £2 and no hassle trying to park... I certainly wouldn't pay the £6 parking fee, it's robbery!... Just the same in my area. I had an outpatients appointment yesterday but couldn't even find a parking spot owing to building work at the hospital. I parked a 10 min walk away... Good thing I wasn't too disabled to walk... Hospital parking is becoming a nighmare!

I'm so sorry to hear about your little Amelie's illness Mo.

[mo]

Thank you all so very much for your caring postings.
Still a nightmare that just wont go away.
We have her tonight but must treat her as normal. No over spoiling her....well not to let her know we are.

[Monika]

As far as hospital parking is concerned, it seems we are very lucky here in Nottingham.

We have two major hospital complexes and we can go to an out-of-town park and ride site, park the car for nothing and catch a bus called 'Medilink' (which runs every ten minutes and commutes between the two hospitals all day long).

That costs nothing as well, no matter what age you are.