Menu
16/03/2012
Rise In Hospital Parking Fees Criticised
New figures published have shown than more than a quarter of hospital trusts in England increased car parking charges for patients and visitors in the year to last April.
While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
A patients' group branded the fees as a "tax on the sick" and called for NHS parking to be free, as in most of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Ministers however have said that making parking free would mean the care budget would lose £100m.
The figures show 28% of Trusts put up their car parking charges between 2010 and 2011, with only 16% reducing them.
Fees at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust jumped 112%, from an average of 67p an hour to £1.42, while North West London Hospitals NHS Trust charged £1.58 an hour on average, up 81% from 88p.
Patients Association chief executive Katherine Murphy described parking charges as "exorbitant".
"It is often money patients do not have in these troubled financial times and is a tax on the sick when people have already paid for their health service," she said.
"Hospitals should be properly supported by the government and should not have to rely on charging patients and visitors to park to make ends meet."
(H)
While some cut prices, others more than doubled them, according to data from 197 hospitals and mental health trusts.
A patients' group branded the fees as a "tax on the sick" and called for NHS parking to be free, as in most of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Ministers however have said that making parking free would mean the care budget would lose £100m.
The figures show 28% of Trusts put up their car parking charges between 2010 and 2011, with only 16% reducing them.
Fees at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust jumped 112%, from an average of 67p an hour to £1.42, while North West London Hospitals NHS Trust charged £1.58 an hour on average, up 81% from 88p.
Patients Association chief executive Katherine Murphy described parking charges as "exorbitant".
"It is often money patients do not have in these troubled financial times and is a tax on the sick when people have already paid for their health service," she said.
"Hospitals should be properly supported by the government and should not have to rely on charging patients and visitors to park to make ends meet."
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 July 2006
NHS charges branded "a mess"
The system of National Health Service charges has been branded "a mess" by a committee of MPs. The Commons Health Select Committee called for a review of the system, which covers prescription and eye test costs, dental care, parking fees and phone costs.
NHS charges branded "a mess"
The system of National Health Service charges has been branded "a mess" by a committee of MPs. The Commons Health Select Committee called for a review of the system, which covers prescription and eye test costs, dental care, parking fees and phone costs.
21 August 2009
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
Parking Enforcement 'Out of Control'
Growing parking enforcement in private car parks and the huge amounts of money being taken from drivers has reached 'epidemic' level, according to the AA. More than one in 10 drivers say they have been issued a private parking ticket over the last year and tens of thousands of people have had their car clamped or removed from private car parks.
16 September 2010
Hospital Parking Fees Here To Stay
The coalition government has announced that car parking charges for hospitals based in England are set to stay. The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
Hospital Parking Fees Here To Stay
The coalition government has announced that car parking charges for hospitals based in England are set to stay. The previous Labour administration had pushed to scrap parking fees for in-patients and regular out-patients, however the coalition agreed that there were better uses of public money than abolishing the charges.
05 August 2013
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
65-Year-Old Bailed On Asda Carpark Manslaughter Charge
A man arrested in connection with the death of 64-year-old man in an Asda car park has been bailed. It is understood that the victim died in hospital on Sunday after sustaining head injuries when he was pushed to the ground during an argument in the supermarkets disabled parking area.
27 July 2004
Reid gives 'green light' for £4bn PFI hospital deal
The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
Reid gives 'green light' for £4bn PFI hospital deal
The 'green light' has been given for 15 new NHS hospital developments in a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal worth more than £4 billion, it has been announced today. Today's announcement will bring investment in new NHS hospitals to more than £16 billion since 1997, the health department said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
