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.  

Car parking charge exemptions

Although we are not in a position to offer free parking for everyone, there are some circumstances in which parking is free:

  • Blue badge holders
    If all disabled bays are full, you can access the visitor car parks and park free whilst displaying your blue badge.
  • Frequent outpatient attenders
    Free parking is be provided to all outpatients’ who attend hospital for an appointment at least three times within a month and for an overall period of at least three months. A 'month' is defined as a period of 30 days.
  • Parents of sick children staying overnight
    This is for a parent or guardian of a child or young person, under 18 years of age, who is admitted as an inpatient at hospital overnight. You will receive free parking between the hours of 7.30pm and 8am while visiting the child. This applies to a maximum of two vehicles.

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):

  • End of life
    Where clinical staff feel it would be appropriate, a parking exemption form can be issued to the patient’s immediate family or carer
  • Long stay patients
    Normally those that have been an inpatient for more than two - three weeks
  • ITU / special care baby unit/neonatal unit
  • Cancer patients
    Free parking for the duration of your treatment
  • Birthing partners
    During the period of confinement.

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.

  • Patients in Teesside and Darlington can book transport by telephoning Transport Information Service on: 01642 263 122
  • Patients in the Durham Dales and East Durham can telephone Travel Response Centre on: 03000 269 9999.
  • Patients in North Durham should either contact their GP or the Travel Response Centre.

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.