NHS parking charges are an unacceptable burden

THERE is little more traumatic, both for patient and loved ones, than an extended stay in hospital. And yet over and again we hear more about the scandalous extent to which patient and visitor are abused.

The NHS and private parking firms are taking advantage of the fact that they have a captive market which cannot go elsewhere. And so at a time when people are coping with illness and stress they are put upon financially as well.

We appreciate the fact that the NHS needs to find additional money from somewhere but the very fact that it is ignoring guidelines the Health Secretary is urging it to respect speaks volumes. Either the guidelines are a measure of good practice or they should not exist at all.

And surely anyone, healthcare professional or not, should be able to see that this is a callous way to behave to people who are already suffering. Why are we, a so-called civilised society, allowing this to happen?

The NHS provides many vital and humane services above and beyond treating illness and it manages to find the money to do so – the hospice movement is a case in point. It is not beyond their wit to raise the money currently coming in from parking fees elsewhere. As matters stand people are being punished either for being ill or for having a friend or family member who is. That is utterly wrong.