THIRTEEN hospitals have ignored a Government crackdown and increased rip-off
car parking charges in the past year, The Sun can reveal.
Furious MPs slammed greedy bosses for “sticking two fingers” up at patients
and urged Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to call for an immediate review.
We inspired the Government to act last year by naming and shaming hospitals
raking in £200million a year from parking in our “Rip Off Britain” campaign.
But charges at Southend Hospital in Essex have leapt 20 per cent to £3 for a
three-hour stay and doubled to £10 for a day.
Maudsley Hospital in South London has upped charges across the board, with a
one-hour stay costing 25 per cent more at £2.50.
Peterborough and Stamford has increased fees by five per cent, blaming
“interest rates” which have remained at record lows since 2009.
Two others, Royal Cornwall and Croydon Health Services, have upped parking
fees – for staff.
In the past year only three have cut charges – Alder Hey Children’s Hospital,
Burton and Nottingham University Hospital. Some 118 hospitals have left them
unchanged.
Tory campaigner Rob Halfon said: “I praise the hospitals that have followed
the new Government guidelines saying that hospital charges should be fair.
“But it seems incredible that when the Government do the right thing, some
greedy hospitals are not only ignoring the guidelines but are fleecing
vulnerable patients.”
Labour’s Frank Field said: “The Health Secretary who has asked hospitals to
abolish charges now finds that 13 have put up charges and have put up their
two fingers to the Secretary of State.
“His response ought to be coming down on them like a ton of bricks.”
The Sun last year found that hospitals were charging patients, friends and
family up to £500 a week to park their cars.
Jeremy Hunt issued new guidance in August calling for hospitals to cut or axe
fees for visitors to patients gravely ill or enduring extended stays.
He also urged chiefs to stop milking staff whose shifts start before public
transport.
He blasted: “Patients and families shouldn’t have to deal with the added
stress of unfair parking charges.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: “The new car parking guidance
is clear that patients and families shouldn’t have to deal with the added
stress of unfair parking charges.
“NHS Trusts ignoring this guidance should be held to accout for any unfair
charges or practices.”