Parking at NHS hospitals has long been a contentious issue, and while Trusts will argue they need every penny they can get, there are those who say that they are profiting from other people’s pain.

According to data collected by the Press Association, more than £254million was collected in parking charges at hospitals in England in the last year, with one hospital in Manchester receiving fees of £6.3m.

And while the issue has been headline news in the run-up to the General Election, the news for patients is not good, with a 10 per cent rise in prices on the previous year.

The disparity on parking charges appears to be a major bone of contention, Manchester University Hospitals may take the most money at £6.3million, but down the road, Pennine Acute Hospitals are amongst the cheapest at just £1 per hour. The most expensive per hour is North Tees and Hartlepool at £4 per hour.

Only Labour have promised to abolish all hospital parking, while the Conservatives say they will make parking free for those in greatest need.

Speaking about the parking concerns, Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers said that Trusts need to make the parking facilities pay for themselves.

“Car parks are expensive to run for the trusts that own them,” she said.

“These parking facilities must be maintained, lit well, and secure. Parking facilities must also provide good access for patients, families and staff.

“All charges by trusts for parking cover the day-to-day running of car parking at the hospital, with any surplus reinvested back into wider services for patients or improving these facilities.”

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