Parking near Royal Oldham Hospital has been labelled an "absolute nightmare" by residents and visitors, with cars spilling onto pavements and making it difficult for people to leave their homes. The situation has left many families distraught, particularly those visiting loved ones at the hospital.

Earlier this year, data from the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust revealed that over 4,000 fines and 2,133 warning notices were issued at the hospital between 2024 and 2025. This generated £838,000 in revenue, which goes back into the NHS, but also highlighted that almost one in three people who appealed their fines were successful, raising questions about the fairness of the system.

Dr. Zahid Chauhan OBE, a GP and Labour councillor for Alexandra ward, has been vocal about the issue. He compared Oldham's approach unfavourably to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, which issued no fines or warning notices over the same period. "It's shocking but also reassuring because we can see things can be done in a different way," he said. "What we needed to prove to the public and stakeholders is there is no reason things are this way. It's not that we are asking for something new that has never been done before." He called on the government to address what he described as a "postcode lottery" that penalises patients and staff.

One man, Tanveer Tariq, was fined in December 2025 despite paying for a ticket while visiting his dying father, Tariq Mahmood, who was receiving end-of-life care. Days later a fine arrived in the post. Refusing to pay because he had paid for parking, he now faces court. "I couldn't find a parking space. It was end of life. I had to be at his bedside," he said. He added that the problem was so severe that some people are parking on double yellow lines, potentially blocking ambulances, and that staff have to park a mile away and walk to work.

Another mother, who was fined when taking her sick son to A&E, described the situation as "kicking people when they are down." She said people only go to hospital if they need to be there, and fining them for doing so adds unnecessary stress.

For residents living near the hospital on streets like Campania, Crossley, and Britton, the parking shortage spills out from the hospital grounds. Anne Wells-Bourne told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that pavement parking problems make it hard for her husband, who uses a wheelchair, to leave the house. "It's a nightmare, an absolute nightmare," she said. "It's hard work but nobody cares. It's been going on for ages." She added that attempts to start a petition for a residential parking scheme were refused by the council.

Another resident, Steven Shepherd, said he had previously tried to get a similar scheme going but was turned down. The impact is felt across the community, with people missing hospital appointments or ending up in tears after struggling to find a space. One junior doctor who parks on the street said they don't mind the walk, but for others the situation is a daily cause of frustration.

Campaigners are now lobbying for major changes to tackle the problem, urging the government to ensure that the system does not penalise those already dealing with health issues. The ongoing parking chaos at Royal Oldham Hospital continues to affect patients, staff, and local residents, with calls for a more compassionate approach growing louder.