Parking charges stay at local hospitals

Jan 3 2009 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A study for the charity revealed that patients with cancer visit hospital 53 times on average for treatment and pay £325 to park their car.

Patients can get help with costs through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) and many hospitals offer concessions, but these are often poorly promoted by hospitals, the charity said.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “We do not think it a sensible use of limited resources to subsidise car parking at hospitals for everyone.

“Our priority is the safety and speed of healthcare – one of the reasons in England waiting times are shorter.

“The NHS needs to improve services for patients and maintain a strong financial position – there is no question of choosing between the two.

“In England, hospital car parking charges are decided locally by individual trusts to cover the cost of running and maintaining a car park.

“All trusts should have exemption and concessionary schemes in place to ensure that patients and carers who visit hospital regularly are not disadvantaged.

“They should also have sustainable public transport plans in place for staff and visitors.”