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Hospitals Cash In: £300m Parking Fees Hit Patients
15 Oct
Summary
- English hospitals collected a record £300 million from parking fees last year.
- Patients and visitors paid £213 million, while staff contributed £87 million.
- Campaigners have criticized these charges, labeling them a 'tax on the sick'.
Hospitals across England have generated a record-breaking £300 million from parking charges in the last year. This substantial sum was primarily paid by patients and visitors, who collectively spent £213 million. Additionally, hospital staff contributed £87 million towards these fees, highlighting the widespread impact of parking costs within healthcare facilities.
These figures, released by the NHS, have been met with strong condemnation from patient advocacy groups. Campaigners have decried the charges as a 'tax on the sick,' emphasizing the financial strain placed upon individuals already facing health challenges. The record revenue underscores a growing concern about the affordability of accessing healthcare services.