car parking charges at hospitals

[digp]

discussion invited ............ are they legal ............ where's the money going ............... ?

taxation by stealth?

[MrsNurseyC]

The rates charged in hospital car parks are absoloutely criminal. I'm sure the fee money supplements what the government gives each hospital trust for the running of the place, but of course a percentage of it will still go towards the wardens wages, who ensure the cars parked all have up to date stickers in their windscreens! Vicious cycle.
I don't agree with it- especially staff being charged to park, as is practice in the hospital I work, even though this is much cheaper compared to using the public 'hourly rate' car parks.
Then again, the NHS is funded by a little bit from everybody's pockets rather than private health insurance. I'd rather have the system we have now in place, than a hospital with free parking, but one which charges patients on a cost per treatment basis.

My advice to anyone visiting a friend or relative etc. in hospital is to make a point of using use the bus. Firstly it's greener, and most towns have a good/ adequate bus service to the hospital. It means for the same price as about an hours parking, you have the option of staying as long as you want with a return bus ticket. This would also be a good suggestion for anyone (health and condition permitting) visiting the hospital site as an outpatient or for a follow up appointment, as these appointments are mainly scheduled between 9-5 and this is when the hospital car parks are at their busiest, and conversely, the buses are running at their most frequent.

Patients requiring long term regular treatments, like kidney dialysis or chemotherapy can be picked up by hopsital transport, or (in our trust) are eligible to recive a reduced rate, prepaid parking ticket.

[hardpressed]

Most hospital will give subsidised parking, though they don't advertise the fact, if you're visiting regularly for any length of time. Ask at the inquiry desk.

[SPENCER]

Our local hospital charges £2.50 for minimum of 4 hours. The outside company that runs the car park say they have to charge this amount so that they can keep the hospital clean as they are also in charge of the maintenance.

[digp]

£4 an hour at some hospitals in the WM!

[livinginhope]

I think hospital car park charges are targeting the sick who can least afford them,I have to go to hospital quite often about 2 or 3 times per month,I have had to give up work recently due to my failing health,but oddly am not entitled to any benefits :confused: ,I cannot travel by public transport for reasons which I will not go into,but trust me I can't.There have been some occasions when I have cancelled appointments because I cannot afford to go,I have also been known to cut down on medication as I cannot afford the prescription charges :mad: I have had nights screaming in pain but refuse to take my painkillers as I don't have enough to last.
I agree that car parking charges can benefit the hospital but when someone is sick and has no money coming in they should not have to pay.Also I would like to add that it isn't only cancer and dialyasis (sp?) patients who have to visit hospital regularly,there are many conditions which need regular treatment but are excluded from any financial help.

[chinneybigchops]

I think it is discusting that they charge 24hrs. The only people at hospital in the middle of the night are those going to A&E, in labour or visiting someone that is dying. How wrong is that?

[lemontart]

If you are visiting someone at kettering general hospital have a word with a member of staff on the ward and you can get a greatly discounted weekly ticket.

Beth
xx

[xycom1]

For hospitals which are in the centre of towns/cities, if the parking was free, every Tom, Dick and Harry would park there and walk to work/the shops.

As said above, many hospitals offer car parking charge refunds to those that need them (benefits, need to arrive by car, etc.).

[shopndrop]

My dad is a blue badge holder and when he asked if he had to pay at our local hospital he was told that unless he parked in a marked disabled bay then he would have to pay even if he displayed blue badge and there would be no refund. He was told there are 33 disabled bays for this hospital. Surely a large hospital needs more than 33 disabled bays, aren't a large number of visitors to hospital blue badge holders/disabled anyway.

[rach1973]

I had to pay £16 when I took my son there, as I was there over either 6 or 8 hours they changed me for 24 hours :mad: :mad: :mad:

[morveryn]

Our hospital has just put its charges up. It now costs over £10 to stay for four hours, more if you need to stay longer. I am disabled and visit hospital regularly to see the consultant or for tests, many of these take over 4 hours.
Having a blue badge makes no difference as disabled drivers still have to pay regardless of if you are parked in a BB bay or not. I am on one benefit - Disability Living Allowance but as this is not related to income I cannot claim any refund or discount toward parking costs. My prescription costs are staggering & I don't get help with them either but lets not go there!;)

[Quackers]

I think it is discusting that they charge 24hrs. The only people at hospital in the middle of the night are those going to A&E, in labour or visiting someone that is dying. How wrong is that?

Dont get me started!!

11pm 2 weeks ago my daughter had a seizure at the top of the stairs, fell down, smashed her head open on the radiatior & knocked herself unconcious.

Before we left for A & E we had to scrabble around for change for the car park.

How can they justify that? :mad:

[Need_More_Money]

A lot of hospitals have now contracted out car parking to firms like NCP. So the money you pay for parking doesn't even go back into the NHS.