Our response to Press Association research on hospital parking charges
Charges need to be made clear, simple and fair, and where help is offered, such as free parking for dialysis patients, people need to be made aware.
The Press Association asked 120 NHS trusts across England to give figures on parking charges and fines - 89 provided responses. Their research shows that hospitals collected more that £120 million last year.
In response to the research, Jane Mordue, Chair of Healthwatch England said:
“Parking charges are one of the most common concerns people speak to their local Healthwatch about.
“From these conversations it is clear people do understand the need for some charges to help manage the use of car parks by patients, visitors and staff. However, they are also absolutely adamant when they tell us they think hospitals have a responsibility to help those particularly affected including disabled people and regular outpatients.
“Charges need to be made clear, simple and fair, and where help is offered, such as free parking for dialysis patients, people need to be made aware.
“If anyone feels that their local Trust is charging over the odds for parking, local Healthwatch stand ready to help. Find your local Healthwatch through our website – Healthwatch.co.uk”
