Parking fees at Nottinghamshire’s hospitals are under the spotlight after figures showed the charges bring in millions of pounds a year.
National figures from an FOI request reveal charges at some NHS car parks around the country are creating incomes of up to £3m a year per hospital.
In Nottingham, the trust which runs the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospitals made £3.7m from car parking in 12 months to March, with a £1.768m profit.
Bosses defended the fees, saying the profit is put back into maintaining car parks.
In an ideal world we wouldn’t charge
Andrew Chatten, director of estates at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, said: “In an ideal world we wouldn’t charge for parking at our hospitals.
“However, we fund our car parks and free shuttle bus service for patients, visitors and staff from income we make from car parking charges to protect NHS money for patient care.
“Money raised from car parking is also used to cover costs of maintenance, security and lighting that keeps our car parks safe.”
The first 15 minutes are free at Nottingham hospital car parks and some concessions are available for some patients and their relatives, depending on their circumstances.
Picture: QMC’s current parking charges in full
Patients at the hospital have mixed views on the figures.
Dad Ricky Hull’s son Oscar was diagnosed with Leukaemia in September, meaning the family has to make regular visits to the QMC.
He said: “We get given a free pass on a monthly basis, so we just ask the lady on the ward.
“The care is important the parking is, with respect, an added bonus if you get it for free, you can get a tram here, so there are other ways of getting here.”
But fellow QMC visitor Carl Blood said: “It makes me feel a little bit betrayed, a little bit like I’m being used, like money is being syphoned off me any way they can – because people have to go to hospital.”
Sherwood Forest Hospitals, which runs Kings Mill and Newark Hospitals, said it made £1,647,535 from parking for the 12 months to March.
It says it uses some of the money to pay back its private finance initiative (PFI) deal on the new Kings Mill Hospital building, adding it also runs a parking concession policy for some patients.
