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NHS parking income 'tops £100m' NHS parking income 'tops £100m'
(4 days later)
The NHS in England makes at least £110m a year from car parking charges, figures show.The NHS in England makes at least £110m a year from car parking charges, figures show.
Patients and their visitors paid out £83.1m in 2007-8 to park at NHS buildings, including hospitals. Staff also handed over more than £27m.Patients and their visitors paid out £83.1m in 2007-8 to park at NHS buildings, including hospitals. Staff also handed over more than £27m.
The true income is also likely to be higher as 68 out of nearly 570 trusts did not provide data.The true income is also likely to be higher as 68 out of nearly 570 trusts did not provide data.
Scotland and Wales are phasing out charges, but ministers in England have once again ruled out scrapping fees.Scotland and Wales are phasing out charges, but ministers in England have once again ruled out scrapping fees.
Hospitals make by far the most from car parking with three trusts earning over £2m in the past year.Hospitals make by far the most from car parking with three trusts earning over £2m in the past year.
In some cases, hospitals are charging patients over £3 an hour to park. The highest rate was at Worthing and Southlands hospitals in Sussex, which are run by the same trust and charge £3.20. In some cases, hospitals are charging patients over £3 an hour to park.
We do not think it a sensible use of tax payer's money to subsidise free car parking at hospitals for anyone who wants to use it Department of Health spokesmanWe do not think it a sensible use of tax payer's money to subsidise free car parking at hospitals for anyone who wants to use it Department of Health spokesman
The figures, revealed by the government in response to a parliamentary question from the Tories, also included community health centres and clinics but not GP surgeries.The figures, revealed by the government in response to a parliamentary question from the Tories, also included community health centres and clinics but not GP surgeries.
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said charges in some areas might be too high and putting off people visiting relatives in hospital.Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said charges in some areas might be too high and putting off people visiting relatives in hospital.
He added hospital chiefs had been forced into charging because of the government's mishandling of NHS finances.He added hospital chiefs had been forced into charging because of the government's mishandling of NHS finances.
"It's evidence of the government's waste and 'boom and bust' approach to the NHS finances that some hospitals are still having to rely on the revenue from these charges when Labour have more than doubled spending on health since 1997.""It's evidence of the government's waste and 'boom and bust' approach to the NHS finances that some hospitals are still having to rely on the revenue from these charges when Labour have more than doubled spending on health since 1997."
But a Department of Health spokesman ruled out a move to free parking.But a Department of Health spokesman ruled out a move to free parking.
"We do not think it a sensible use of tax payer's money to subsidise free car parking at hospitals for anyone who wants to use it."We do not think it a sensible use of tax payer's money to subsidise free car parking at hospitals for anyone who wants to use it.
"It costs hospitals money to administer car parks and if they don't charge they have less money for patients."It costs hospitals money to administer car parks and if they don't charge they have less money for patients.
"However, they are supposed to have concessions in place for people who have to use hospital car parks regularly and arrangements for staff.""However, they are supposed to have concessions in place for people who have to use hospital car parks regularly and arrangements for staff."