Kingston Hospital bosses have apologised for what they had previously called "teething problems" with a new parking regime.

Parking Eye's numberplate recognition system has seen blue badge users and others slapped with £100 fines since it was introduced last November.

Patients and their relatives have criticised poor signage in the car park, while blue badge users have complained they were not told they had to register their cars to avoid fines.

Now the hospital has promised to review any tickets handed out in February and make signs clearer.

Duncan Burton, director of nursing and patient experience, said: "I would like to say how sorry we are for the problems that some of our patients and visitors have experienced.

"I know how upsetting it has been for many of our patients, particularly those with blue badges, to receive a fine when they quite rightly had displayed their blue badges in their vehicles but were not aware of the need to register their details.

"We also know that we can significantly improve the signage and information about how to use the new system.

"I know that a number of patients have received fines as, for some, it is complicated to use.

"We are implementing a range of measures to improve signage, information and blue badge registration.

"This is why we have decided to take the additional step of reviewing the issue of penalty charges during February.

"This will allow us to make the changes and improvements needed and reduce the stress and worry for our patients and visitors.

"Our focus is to now ensure that the new system is as easy to use as possible and benefits everyone using it."

Some parking tickets already handed out may also be cancelled.

The new parking regime has angered so many that councillors will haul hospital representatives before a scrutiny panel on Thursday night to explain the system.

There have been no increases in parking charges and the charging period still runs from 8am to 8pm every day.

Blue badge holders should register their car when they go to the hospital, at main reception.

Alternatively, email your car registration, plus blue badge number and expiry date, to carparking@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk.

If you have been fined in error, contact the same email address.

-- How to pay when you arrive:

  • Visit one of the payment machines
  • Enter your registration and money for the number of hours you wish to be at the hospital
  • Retain your ticket
  • If you exceed the time of your original ticket, visit one of the payment machines, enter your registration and then the number of hours you want to "top up" for
  • Retain the second ticket

-- How to pay when you leave:

  • Visit one of the payment machines
  • Enter your registration and money for the number of hours you have been onsite
  • Retain your ticket as proof of payment