PARKING charges at Salisbury Hospital have been suspended for patients and visitors until further notice.

It comes amid problems with the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition system installed in the car park last week. 

One patient who left the car park without being able to pay recently slammed the new "nightmare" system and is calling for change.

The parking machine also told Suzy Jennifer she had been in the car park since 1970 when she tried to pay.

She said: “The system told me I owed £56 and had been there since 1970.

“Considering I wasn’t born then it’s pretty good going to be able to have parked my car there.”

Now in a statement from Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust CEO Stacey Hunter, it has been confirmed that a number of problems with both the ANPR cameras and with the mobile phone app used for payment have been discovered. 

Ms Hunter said: "Many patients and visitors have contacted me about problems that they are encountering with the system that was introduced this week. I wish to thank everyone who has brought these issues to my attention.

"We have alerted the supplier to these problems and they have begun work to fix the issues. While that work is being undertaken, the system is being suspended and there will be no parking charges for patients and visitors until further notice.

"On behalf of the Trust I appreciate the support from our community and apologise for the confusion, frustration and inconvenience that has been caused by the system's failures. Please be assured that there will be full testing of the system before it is re-introduced and we have been given assurance from the company that it is working properly."