Large hospitals often have several car parks Be warned

Although hospital staff should do everything possible to ensure you park in the car park closest to your appointment, many don't make this clear.If you are arriving for an outpatient appointment or a scheduled operation, you may find the information you need on the letter you received when the appointment was booked.

Large hospitals often have several car parks to serve the various departments and, if you get it wrong, you could face a very long walk before you get to your appointment. This is not only tiring, but could mean you miss your slot.

Most hospital websites include a map of the site and it can be extremely helpful to check where you are going before you leave home.

Also, it may be useful to check you have the right change....and plenty of it. Some hospitals require you to estimate how long you are going to stay and you must pay as soon as you park. Others make you pay when you leave. In those instances you may face a long queue at the machine as so many people leave as visiting time finishes.

Note that many hospitals offer season tickets, at a much cheaper rate, for long stay patients. This facility not only saves you money it also avoids the need to queue at the machine before you leave every day.

Jill