Disabled parking blow

A HOSPITAL has been slammed as “blackhearted” over plans to charge patients with disabled badges for parking.

Kingston Hospital in South West London said people with disabilities must pay from January 22. It comes as our petition to have all hospital parking charges abolished hit 50,000 signatures.

Sharon Zeqiri, a carer for her 83-year-old mum, who visits the hospital from New Malden, said: “This is a really short-sighted and black-hearted decision. It’s hard enough being disabled or caring for a disabled person without this small concession being cut.”

The hospital said new parking operator CP Plus will enforce charges. Charles Hanford of Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “Revenue is used to provide and maintain our car parks and making sure they are secure, additional income is put back into patient care.”