At least one in four NHS trusts hike hospital parking fees for patients, staff or both
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Patients are being ‘unfairly penalised’ as parking charges soar at hospitals and surgeries, research revealed yesterday. At least one in four NHS trusts in England raised the cost of parking for patients, staff or both in the two years to March 2024.
![[Parking fees for hospital staff in England were waived in July 2020 due to Covid, but this ended in March 2022, with the Department of Health claiming it had cost £130million]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/01/93373049-14215965-image-a-108_1734744454474.jpg)
Health experts have tried to justify the increases by claiming hospital trusts are under ‘huge financial pressure’ and cannot afford to maintain car parks free of charge. But patient groups said forcing mounting charges on vulnerable people during a cost-of-living crisis was unfair.
Parking fees for hospital staff in England were waived in July 2020 due to Covid, but this ended in March 2022, with the Department of Health claiming it had cost £130million. Rachel Power, of the Patients Association, said: ‘With car parking charges increasing again this year at many NHS hospital sites, patients and their families are facing an even greater financial strain.
'The cost-of-living crisis is pushing many households to the brink, and these charges unfairly penalise people simply for being unwell and needing access to essential healthcare. ‘While parking fees provide important revenue during a period of significant financial strain, it is vital that any additional NHS funding is focused on improving patient care.’.
At least one in four NHS trusts in England raised the cost of parking for patients or staff in the two years leading up to March 2024 (file photo). She said patients were enduring ‘undignified and unsafe conditions’ in overcrowded hospitals, adding: ‘[This] must remain the priority over other concerns, including parking charges.
