An NHS dental patient has fallen foul of a dentist’s parking policy.
She had to move her car after taking her disabled mother to the surgery in Huddersfield and parking in spaces strictly reserved for private patients.
Julie King took her 79-year-old disabled mum Gretchen, who walks with the aid of a zimmer frame, to Edgerton Dental Clinic in New North Road, Edgerton, after she had been experiencing problems with her dentures.
Julie, a mother-of-three, from Newsome, said: “I have been before and two of my daughters go there, but it was my mum’s first time at the practice.
“I took my mum in but she couldn’t get up the stairs.
“We were waiting to be seen when the manager asked if it was my car in the car park. I said that it was and he said that I shouldn’t have parked there as it was reserved for private patients.
“I couldn’t believe it so I asked him to repeat it and after he had done, I reluctantly went and moved my car although I was very unhappy about it.#
“My mum is from Golcar, is registered disabled and walks with the aid of a zimmer frame. I just think it is ridiculous.”
The surgery is on busy New North Road on the edge of Huddersfield town centre. There is a sign on the wall outside which reads: “Parking strictly for private patients only”.
Practice manager Sajid Manzoor said: “I am very sorry to learn that a patient is unhappy with the parking facilities at the practice.
“There are parking options for all our patients and those with a blue badge can park on the street with easy access to the practice.
“I would encourage the patient to use our complaints procedure so that we can respond in full through the appropriate channels.”
