A woman was left counting the cost of a good deed after being slapped with a hefty fine while taking her elderly aunt to the doctor.

Melanie Rogers took 87-year-old Pansy to Whitstable Health Centre in Harbour Street to get the results of medical tests.

But after a long wait to be seen, they overran the car park’s maximum stay by 11 minutes - and Ms Rogers was ordered to pay £100 to private firm Smart Parking Ltd, which is contracted by NHS Property Services to manage the car park.

Ms Rogers, 54, said: “My aunt was really worried about going and about missing the appointment, so she insisted we got there half an hour early.

“There was a delay before we were seen so we were about 40 minutes late seeing the doctor. I didn’t want to leave my aunt because I kept thinking we were about to go in, and she needed me with her. She usually has someone who looks after her, but they were on holiday.

“We were with the doctor a lot longer than I anticipated and then I had to help my aunt book a follow-up appointment.”

Ms Rogers ended up exceeding the 75-minute maximum car park stay, and soon received a £100 fine which she was told would be reduced to £60 if paid within a fortnight. Smart Parking refused to withdraw the fine, despite Ms Rogers appealing it and supplying evidence that she was in the GP surgery on November 30.

“It’s frustrating because it’s not like I was abusing the car park by going shopping..." Melanie Rogers

But after being contacted by the Gazette this week, the firm withdrew the charge. Speaking before the fine was cancelled, Ms Rogers explained: “I went back to Whitstable Medical Centre, and was given a letter corroborating the fact we were in the surgery for the full duration.

"The reception said that usually does the trick. But the parking people decided to uphold the notice, despite the letter. I was told to pay £60 just for doing a good deed for an elderly person.

“It’s frustrating because it’s not like I was abusing the car park by going shopping - I was in the surgery, and was actually in the doctor’s room when the time ran out. We were only in there so long because there was a delay in going in.”

Ms Rogers admits she failed to spot signs in the car park advertising the 75-minute maximum stay. “I totally missed them,” she said.

“I usually go to Estuary View, and we don’t have to pay any parking there, so I didn’t even think about it. I agree that a deterrent is necessary for that car park because otherwise places might be taken up by people who aren’t using the GP. But it’s like there’s no room for human error - I did obtain a letter from the reception. You have to have a bit of a heart. It’s a real hefty fine - I really don’t think it’s fair.”

Smart Parking - which also runs parking at Canterbury Health Centre and Faversham Health Centre - has come under fire in the past for fining people using the NHS services.

A spokesman said: “Smart Parking manages the Whitstable Health Centre for the good of patients as they will have a place to park for appointments. In the case of Ms Rogers, she parked for longer than the time allowed and did not register for free parking by providing her details to the centre’s receptionist.

“As such she was properly charged. Ms Rogers has now appealed the charge and has provided us with new information. On that basis we have cancelled the charge. We are members of the British Parking Association and follow its guidelines.”

Ms Rogers maintains she did not supply any fresh evidence following her initial appeal.