Parking fee at hospitals is sickening

THIS week Chancellor Philip Hammond has a chance to do some good.

Among the measures under consideration for his first Autumn Budget is the scrapping of hospital parking charges.

It might not sound like much, but these charges cause untold distress for people at their most vulnerable.

Imagine having a child who was born prematurely. That means weeks in a neonatal unit as they fight for life.

Of course, you would visit at every opportunity. Figures show that at the end of a typical stay you would have racked up a £250 bill in parking.

Parents of children with cancer are also suffering. Leading children’s cancer charities say some families are spending as much as £50 a week on visiting them at hospital.

Of course, money issues take a back seat when your child, your friend or your relative is sick.

But it’s something that puts unnecessary pressure on families at a time when they are most in need of support.

These charges go against the foundation of our health service – compassion.

A recent survey found that more than 95 per cent of people thought the charges should be scrapped.

Mr Hammond can show there is a place in the Budget for doing the right thing.