EXCLUSIVE
CALLS to axe crippling NHS car parking charges grew last night as it was revealed hospitals made a record £175million from staff, patients and visitors last year.
The rip-off fees were branded a further tax on the sick after they soared from £164million in 2014/15.
And the figure could be even higher as only 111 of 120 trusts released figures – which showed people being hit with fees of up to £4 plus fines if they stay over their time.
Disgracefully, 56 of those trusts charge the disabled to park.
Tory MP Robert Halfon led the pleas for Theresa May to scrap the fees, which made hospitals and private firms almost £500,000 a day. He said: “If we value our hospital staff, we should allow them free parking.”
Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb added: “Hospital car park charges are a tax on sickness.”
Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford charges the most at a minimum £4 for up to two hours.
Day patient Leigh Ellis spoke of his fury after a visit yesterday. The 46-year-old van salesman, from Staines, said: “It’s an absolute rip -off.”
Lorraine Maitland, who is donating her kidney to her sister through The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in the West Midlands, said that sometimes she cannot afford even to visit her.
The 53-year-old, from Erdington, added: “It cost £30 a day for the family. She’s been on dialysis for two years, I don’t even want to think about what we’ve shelled out.”
Distribution manager James Boulstridge, 33, said: “We come quite regularly for our son’s 10-minute appointment and we end up paying for two hours.” Figures from a freedom of information request found Heart of England made the most from parking last year at £4.9million. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust in Surrey was second with £3.9million.
A Heart of England spokesman said: “The Trust does profit from car parking charges as it is used to fund utility costs, security and a parking management service, as well as the upkeep of the car parks.”
The Royal Surrey County Hospital added: “Car parks are expensive. Revenue generated is used for the upkeep of facilities, with additional income put into patient care.”
The Department of Health insisted trusts are responsible for the charges.