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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hospital car parks make millions | Hospital car parks make millions |
| (about 15 hours later) | |
| Campaigners say the money made by NHS trusts from car parking charges is shameful as some trusts' income tops £2m a year. | Campaigners say the money made by NHS trusts from car parking charges is shameful as some trusts' income tops £2m a year. |
| According to the list released by the Estates Return Information Collection, 30 trusts are making more than £1m each from their car parks. | According to the list released by the Estates Return Information Collection, 30 trusts are making more than £1m each from their car parks. |
| But the top earners were Southampton University Hospitals at £2.41m and Cambridge University Hospitals, £2.26m. | But the top earners were Southampton University Hospitals at £2.41m and Cambridge University Hospitals, £2.26m. |
| Overall, the NHS took £95m in charges but 74 trusts did not supply figures. | Overall, the NHS took £95m in charges but 74 trusts did not supply figures. |
| TOP PARKING EARNERS Southampton University Hospitals - £2.41mCambridge University Hospitals - £2.26mOxford Radcliffe Hospitals - £1.72mNorfolk and Norwich - £1.71mEast Kent Hospitals - £1.68m | TOP PARKING EARNERS Southampton University Hospitals - £2.41mCambridge University Hospitals - £2.26mOxford Radcliffe Hospitals - £1.72mNorfolk and Norwich - £1.71mEast Kent Hospitals - £1.68m |
| Macmillan Cancer Support acting chief executive, Judy Beard, said: "These figures are shocking. | Macmillan Cancer Support acting chief executive, Judy Beard, said: "These figures are shocking. |
| "Cancer patients spend hundreds of pounds each year on hospital parking. | "Cancer patients spend hundreds of pounds each year on hospital parking. |
| "Macmillan wants to see all cancer patients travelling regularly for treatment to be able to park free at hospital. | "Macmillan wants to see all cancer patients travelling regularly for treatment to be able to park free at hospital. |
| "NHS Trusts urgently need to implement this guidance - it is shameful that cancer patients are still paying to park at hospital." | "NHS Trusts urgently need to implement this guidance - it is shameful that cancer patients are still paying to park at hospital." |
| And she added the government should step in and introduce stronger regulations if cancer sufferers continued to be charged. | And she added the government should step in and introduce stronger regulations if cancer sufferers continued to be charged. |
| Sandra Gidley, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, described the charges as a "tax on the sick". | |
| Problem | Problem |
| The Department of Health defended the charges, saying they helped to ensure only those using the hospital parked there, and re-iterated that they were up to individual trusts. | The Department of Health defended the charges, saying they helped to ensure only those using the hospital parked there, and re-iterated that they were up to individual trusts. |
| A spokesman said: "Ultimately, it is a matter for individual NHS bodies to decide whether or not to charge for car parking, and the level of charges in the light of local circumstances. | A spokesman said: "Ultimately, it is a matter for individual NHS bodies to decide whether or not to charge for car parking, and the level of charges in the light of local circumstances. |
| "Charges help hospitals as it discourages people who are not using the hospital from using the car parking spaces. This can be a problem, especially in inner city areas. | "Charges help hospitals as it discourages people who are not using the hospital from using the car parking spaces. This can be a problem, especially in inner city areas. |
| "Most hospitals have exemptions from charges for patients and hospital staff are generally well trained in advising patients about these exemptions." | "Most hospitals have exemptions from charges for patients and hospital staff are generally well trained in advising patients about these exemptions." |
| Roy Lilley, a former NHS trust manager, said the key problem was that hospitals did not make their exemption policies clear. | |
| "Whilst most hospitals do have exemptions it is very hard to figure out how you get an exemption. | |
| "You should not have to feel that you have to go begging for the refund. Where you pay there should be a list saying this is how you do it." | |
| A spokeswoman for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust said - in a statement on Addenbrooke's, the trust's busiest hospital: "Our parking system is designed to accommodate the many different needs of our patients and visitors. | A spokeswoman for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust said - in a statement on Addenbrooke's, the trust's busiest hospital: "Our parking system is designed to accommodate the many different needs of our patients and visitors. |
| "Concessionary parking charges are made for long term visitors and patients, and special arrangements are in place for cancer patients. | "Concessionary parking charges are made for long term visitors and patients, and special arrangements are in place for cancer patients. |
| "Charging for car parking allows us to provide safe and secure car parks for those who need to bring their cars on site." | "Charging for car parking allows us to provide safe and secure car parks for those who need to bring their cars on site." |