NHS hospitals in England collected more than £5 million a week in parking fees last year, sparking outrage from unions and patient charities who describe the charges as a 'tax on the sick'. New figures reveal that patients and visitors paid £192.3 million, while staff contributed £79.1 million for the privilege of parking at work.
The total of £271.4 million represents an 11% increase in visitor fees and a 13% rise in staff charges compared to the previous year. Critics argue that the fees penalise vulnerable people and can deter visits to loved ones. Unions note that many hospitals are in remote locations with poor public transport, particularly during night shifts.
University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust topped the list, raking in over £10 million from parking charges. In London, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust collected £3.7 million. Some trusts charge visitors up to £5 per hour and staff over £10 per day for an eight-hour shift.
The issue has drawn sharp criticism from charities. Josie Anderson of Bliss, which supports families of babies in neonatal care, said: 'The cost of parking can place a significant financial burden on new parents... It is unacceptable that parents are forced to pay to spend time at the hospital during this critical time of bonding.' Shimeon Lee of the TaxPayers' Alliance added: 'Hospital car parking has become a stealth tax on the sick.'
The Department of Health and Social Care defended the charges, stating that free parking is available for those in greatest need, including overnight staff. It added that individual NHS trusts are responsible for setting fees, which should be 'reasonable and in line with the local area'. The NHS says the income covers running costs, with any surplus reinvested into healthcare.
