
What to bring with you
All our hospitals have car parks, however demand for spaces can be very high, so please allow plenty of time if visiting or before attending for an appointment or, if possible, use alternative methods of transport such as being dropped off - there are designated drop off bays and short stay parking areas at each of our sites which enable 20 minutes of free parking. Many of our hospitals are on bus routes or are within walking distance of them. Most of our hospitals have on-site bike storage if cycling is an option for you.
Please use our car parks responsibly and be courteous to other users. Please do not park on double yellow or double red lines. If you are parking in the local neighbourhood, please be considerate to local residents.
Parking charges vary and are clearly displayed. You can pay with cash or, at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital payment by card is also accepted. Parking is free at Weardale, Sedgefield, Shotley Bridge and The Richardson community hospitals.
Although we are not in a position to offer free parking for everyone, there are some circumstances in which parking is free:
There are other circumstances when a parking exemption can be issued by one of our clinical teams when they feel it is appropriate. These include the following (please ask staff on the ward or department for more details):
Hospital transport services, including Patient Transport Service are available Monday to Friday with the first appointment drop-off at 9am and last return journey collection at 4:30pm.
Other support is also available, including:
Patients who receive certain benefits can claim back reasonable transport costs from the cashier's offices at University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital, or from reception at Bishop Auckland Hospital, Chester-Le-Street Community Hospital and Shotley Bridge Hospital.
Bus time tables are readily available online, or via local providers’ independent apps or websites - please utilise these to plan your journey to hospital.
We have electric vehicle charging points in our visitor car parks at University Hospital of North Durham, Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland Hospital.