Goodwill to all, except drivers visiting hospital

Car park fees to stay for the hols

SCROOGE health bosses are refusing to suspend rip-off car parking fees at Christmas.

Even at the height of the season of goodwill, drivers keeping appointments or visiting relatives will still be forced to pay up to £3.50 an hour to leave their vehicles.

Any who fail to realise normal rules apply face penalties of up to £80.

Last year NHS hospitals in England made over £120million from car parks, some of which are privately run.

But research by the Sunday Mirror shows some of the most expensive are planning to enforce charges despite a government pledge to crack down on trusts that profit from vulnerable patients. They include East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, which made £3.6million from parking fees last year, and University Hospitals of North Midlands, which made £3million. Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport is also planning to enforce its £3.50 an hour charge. Basildon and Thurrock hospitals in Essex and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation in Central London are all suspending their £3 an hour charge for Christmas Day only.

Trusts defend the charges by saying money goes back into patient care or maintaining car parks.

But Rachel Power, of the Patients Association, said: “For patients and visitors, parking fees simply amount to being charged for being ill.”

The British Parking Association, which represents private operators, said it would expect its members to be “compassionate” towards motorists over the festive season.

One glimmer of Christmas spirit is being shown by the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford.

Its £4 an hour charge – the highest in the country – will be suspended on December 25, 26 and January 1.