Car parking payment system at the West Suffolk Hospital is changing
09 December 2025
From Monday, 26 January 2026, the car parking payment system at the West Suffolk Hospital (WSH) is changing to a completely barrierless system. This will provide patients, staff and visitors with less congestion on site, more flexible options for payment, and a more modern car parking system.
The new payment system means there will be additional car parking payment machines, the removal of barriers from the exit, and the ability to pay for parking via the Sippi app up to 48 hours after leaving the site.
The West Suffolk Hospital will use a number plate recognition system for seamless entry and exit from 26 January 2026.
Entry: vehicles are logged upon entry via automated cameras
Payment: visitors can use one of eight payment machines to pay before they leave. If you would like to use cash, please use the machine by the Macmillan Unit. Visitors can also use the Sippi app to pay for their parking up to 48 hours after their visit.
Exit: there are no barriers, so simply drive out the exit.
Please read the car parking FAQs to find out more information about how our new barrierless car parking system will work.
Frequently asked questions
The Trust’s current car parking management contract ended in October 2025. A new contractor, UK CPM, will take over from Nexus on 26 January 2026.
As part of this, a new payment system will be implemented and the barriers removed at the exits to alleviate congestion during peak times. The new payment system will provide a more seamless way of exiting the site, more flexibility in how colleagues pay for car parking, and a cost saving for the Trust while modernising how we manage car parking.
No, this change does not impact the rates you currently pay.
The price of parking rises in line with the Consumer Price Index each financial year (April), and this is the only time that pricing is currently scheduled to change.
No, we are not planning to expand or reduce the number of car parking spaces on the west Suffolk Hospital site.
Clear, refreshed signage will be installed outlining which areas are staff-only parking across the site.
If you are eligible to park on the West Suffolk Hospital site, you will:
Enter the site via the usual entrance where your registration number plate will be scanned
You can then leave your vehicle and make your way to your appointment, procedure, or a loved one in our care
If you pay at one of the car parking machines, upon exiting the site, your registration number plate will be scanned confirming your exit and you can proceed without going through barriers.
If preferred, you can use the Sippi app to pay for your parking within 48 hours of exiting the site to pay for your parking.
If you do not pay for your car parking within 48 hours, you will be served with a penalty charge notice (PCN).
You have to put your number plate details into the payment machine, and this will be logged with the automatic number plate recognition system so will register that you have paid.
No, this change will not impact anyone who is a Blue Badge holder.
Please note: when registering for the Sippi app, Blue Badge holders will be asked to provide details of their badge, such as the expiry date.
There is one payment machine on the West Suffolk Hospital site that still takes cash. Tis is the payment machine by the Macmillan Unit.
While the majority of the car parking payment machines will be replaced in their existing locations, additional machines will be placed in the patient and visitor car park and by the exit of the West Suffolk Hospital site.
