Kate Matthews, 36, was hospitalized in March with suspected intestinal failure and complications that her father described as potentially fatal. While she was in critical condition, her family received multiple parking fines for her vehicle. The fines, totaling £400, were issued between June 28 and August 13.
Matthews' family had paid for weekly permits for the vehicle and possessed receipts covering every date a notice was issued. However, the parking operator, APCOA, initially refused to discuss the notices with Matthews' family, citing GDPR regulations and stating they could only communicate with the registered keeper. Matthews' father noted that this stance was "utter nonsense" and that they were "hiding behind" privacy laws.
Matthews, who has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), has been unwell for about a decade. This condition affects connective tissues and can cause a range of issues, including unstable joints and digestive problems. She was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary in March and remained hospitalized, though she is no longer in life-threatening danger, her father stated.
When Matthews' family attempted to challenge the fines, they were met with resistance from APCOA. Despite providing proof of payment, the operator would not engage with anyone other than Matthews herself, even though she was critically ill and had not driven the car. The family kept the dispute from Matthews initially, only informing her as she began to recover, at which point she expressed her own anger over the situation.
According to Matthews' father, hospital security staff indicated that incorrectly issued fines were a common occurrence. In response to the situation, NHS Humber Health Partnership and APCOA issued a joint statement apologizing for the distress caused and confirmed that all charges against Matthews have been canceled. The family, however, maintains that they had followed the correct appeals process and that the hospital and APCOA have not directly apologized for the ordeal.