From 2 January 2026, Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead will be updating their parking arrangements for patients and visitors. This includes new time bands and an increase to current parking charges.

The hospital stated they know that any change to parking can feel frustrating, and this is not a decision they’ve taken lightly. This is their first increase in many years, and the new rates will bring them in line with other local hospitals.

They also understand that parking at the hospital can be challenging at busy times, and that they do not currently have enough spaces to meet the demand. By updating the charges, they can reinvest directly into improving the patient and visitor experience, including maintenance, safety, and longer-term plans to make accessing the hospital easier for everyone.

Concessions for certain patients and their relatives, such as Blue Badge holders (with a valid badge displayed), or parents of a child staying overnight, will remain in place. If you are on a low income you may be entitled to claim back the cost of your parking under the national Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) which helps individuals with the reasonable costs of travel to and from NHS appointments and treatments.

From 2 January 2026 the charges will apply Monday to Sunday 8am to 7.30pm.

Up to 30 minutes         FREE
Up to 2 hours              £3.50
Up to 4 hours              £5.50
Up to 6 hours              £7.50
Up to 8 hours              £9.00
Over 8 hours               £10.00.

You can pay for your parking by cash, card, Google Pay or Apple Pay. QR code posters around the hospital can also be used to pay or top up your parking.

The hospital is thanking people for their understanding and support as they make these important changes to improve your experience at Queen Victoria Hospital.

The current amber cold health alert has been extended until 10AM on 09/01/2026 across the South East. The amber alert has a matrix score of 12. This means: Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including:

• a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups
• a likely increase in demand for health services
• temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks
• challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people
• staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)
• other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)

You can see all the weather health alerts currently in place across England on the UKHSA data dashboard.

View more detail on the warning at the Cold-Health Alert Map  site.

Cold weather can affect your health. The people most likely to be affected are the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this cold weather period please help make sure that they stay warm and well, and if possible check in advance that they are prepared for this cold spell.

• Stay tuned in to weather forecasts
• Check room temperatures and maintain it at 18C or warmer
• Keep warm and active and if you have to go out dress warmly and wear non slip shoes.
• If you are concerned about your own health or welfare or that of others please alert the emergency services.

For more information

• Met Office Cold-Health Alert Map
• NHS Keep Warm Keep Well leaflet
• WSCC Dealing with extreme weather
• WSCC Preparing for emergencies
• WSCC Report a road and footway issue
• Follow us on Twitter for regular updates @WSCCNews  @WSCCResilience @wspublichealth

Work will begin this month to give three children’s play areas a makeover. 

The play areas at South Park in Reigate, Beecholme Recreation Ground in Banstead, and Hogden Bottom in Kingswood will all receive new equipment and landscaping. 

Hogden Bottom will be the first of the three sites to be upgraded with works due to start this week. 

A start date for South Park will be agreed in the next few weeks and this will see a new mini trim trail and inclusive features such as a swing, spinners and a multi-activity sensory panel.