An NHS trust has been accused of “cruelly taxing the sick” after collecting a record £9.2 million in parking charges last year.
The sum pocketed by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is the highest amount ever recorded by a trust in a single year.
Nationally, the NHS made £173.1 million from charging fees to patients and visitors in 2023/24 and a further £69.8 million from staff.
The total figure of £242.9 million equates to £4.67 million a week or £27,800 every hour.
Patient groups say the cost can be overwhelming for those who need to make frequent hospital visits and may discourage friends and family from visiting.
Nationally, the NHS made £173.1 million from charging fees to patients and visitors in 2023/24 and a further £69.8 million from staff.
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Staff also highlight the often remote locations of hospitals, with poor public transport links and unsociable working hours, which can make a car essential.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust has made more from parking than any other trust in each of the previous five years.
In total he earned £31.3m during this period and £43m over seven years, according to new figures released by NHS England.
Nationally, trusts have raised £880 million in the last five years and £1.4 billion in the last seven.
NHS staff benefited from free parking during the pandemic, but some trusts have since reintroduced charges.
Joanna Marchong, research campaign director at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Hospital parking charges are the last thing patients, families and carers need.
«They affect vulnerable patients more, especially those with chronic diseases who need to go to hospital regularly.
“The government should end this tax on the sick.”
Beth McCleverty, director of policy, research and campaigns at childcare charity Bliss, said: “Parking costs can be a significant burden for new parents if their baby is born premature or is ill and requires neonatal care.”
The sum pocketed by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is the highest amount ever recorded by a trust in a single year.
“The neonatal stay can range from days to weeks or months in hospital shortly after birth, and that means the cost of parking and other essentials such as food and drink, childcare and accommodation, can be very expensive for families at a time when they are already under a high level of stress.
‘One in seven babies receive care in a neonatal unit after birth, and at such a critical time for the bond between parents and their vulnerable newborn, it is unacceptable that parents are charged to be with their baby.
‘Parents of babies receiving neonatal care are not visitors, but essential partners in the care of their baby.
Patient groups say the cost can be overwhelming for those who need to make frequent hospital visits and may discourage friends and family from visiting.
“Hospital trusts must urgently reassess the impact of parking costs on this already vulnerable group.”
The 2019 Conservative manifesto pledged to “end unfair car parking charges in hospitals by making parking free for those who need it most, including disabled people, frequent outpatients, parents of sick children passing the night and staff who work night shifts.
Current guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care says parking charges should be “reasonable for the area”.
Trusts should provide free parking for disabled people, frequent outpatients, parents of sick children staying overnight and staff working night shifts.
Helen Morgan (must retain), the Liberal Democrats’ health and social care spokesperson, said: “These fees have become a tax on the care of those who need treatment, their loved ones and the hard-working staff who have to pay to go.” to work.”
‘The previous Conservative government failed to deliver on its promises to end unfair hospital parking charges and its legacy of failure has left people literally paying the price.
“The new government must crack down on these unfair fees immediately.”
NHS England said parking charges are a way for trusts to manage capacity in their car parks for patients and staff.
The revenue is used to pay the cost of running the car park, such as security and maintenance, and surplus revenue is reinvested into NHS services.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Hospital parking charges are the responsibility of individual NHS trusts.
‘Free parking is available for all NHS staff working overnight and any charges must be reasonable and in line with the local area.
“All revenue is used to maintain the parking facilities and excess revenue is returned to the NHS.”
