The car park pay machines at Ipswich Hospital do not recognise the new £1 coin causing disruption for patients and visitors to the site.

The hospital says it is aware of the issue and is looking to find a short-term fix for the problem.

A spokeswoman apologised for difficulties visitors were having, saying there are change machines within the hospital where people can get coins that will work.

“We are aware of the problems and we are very sorry to our patients and visitors,” she said.

“We would like to thank them for bearing with us while we work it out.”

She said the hospital had contacted the manufacturer of the pay machines and was on a waiting list to get them adapted.

“We are doing everything we can to get it done as soon as possible,” she said.

We asked our readers on social media whether they had experienced problems with the pay machines when visiting the hospital.

On Facebook, Terri Green posted: “Yep was there two weeks ago and only had the new £1 coin so had to try and change them to pay for a ticket they have had long enough to upgrade the machine.”

Amber Scott posted that it has been a ‘nightmare’ visiting the site.

She said: “It’s all good and well saying there are machines that can give change inside the hospital but what are you supposed to do if you only have new £1 coins on you?

“I doubt they would let you off if you got a ticket in the space of time between arriving, parking up, going inside to get a change, getting a ticket and returning said ticket to your car.”

A hospital spokeswoman added there was a long-term plan to revolutionise the parking system at the site.

It is currently looking into options including using ANPR cameras to log who parks at the hospital so visitors pay when they leave the car park.

“We want the gold standard where patients won’t have to worry about coins,” she said.

“You could still pay by cash but could also pay by card and contactless.

“We have a long-term plan on car parking and moving forwards are looking at a different car parking structure where we will have number plate recognition where you pay when you leave.

“But there is a big cost implication for that.”

Have you had problems using the new £1 at the hospital. Let us know at newsroom@archant.co.uk or in the comment section below.