£174m hospital parking charges
HOSPITALS have made a record £174million in one year from charging patients, visitors and staff for car parking.
NHS hospitals across England increased their parking revenue in 2016/17 by 6% compared to the year before.
Half of NHS trusts also charge disabled people.
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said yesterday: “Hospital car park charges amount to a tax on sickness, with the chronically ill or disabled bearing the brunt.”
Labour’s Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth added: “They are an unfair and unnecessary burden.”
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust in the West Midlands is top for parking income, making £4,865,000.
Other trusts making more than £3m a year include Derby, Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds.
Around two-thirds of 111 trusts that responded to Freedom Of Information requests rake in over £1m a year.
A total of 40 NHS trusts out of 120 in England also admitted they made nearly £1m from car park fines – up 32% on the previous year.
Some hospitals defended their revenues, saying it was put into patient care or maintaining car parks. 300 golf balls were among the unwanted gifts being offered for sale on eBay within hours of being unwrapped. The seller is asking £49.99 for the lot.