RAC comments on record revenue NHS trusts gain from parking charges

A new investigation has revealed that NHS hospitals have made a record £174 million in the last year from charging patients, visitors and staff for car parking.

RAC spokesman Pete Williams said: “Hospital parking charges are a major source of angst and unfairly hit those who can least afford it at a time when they are in most need of care and support. 

“This record level of revenue generated by the UK’s NHS Trust from inflated parking charges will add fuel to the fire and increase calls for something to be done to put a cap on charges.

“We acknowledge the financial pressures trusts are under but we would like swift action to ensure they are set at a fair and proportionate level and that patients and visitors are presented with a wider range of payment options to make it as stress-free as possible.

“Anyone arriving at hospital, be they a patient or visitor, have far more important things to worry about than paying for parking.”