UK Hospitals Collect Record £300 Million in Parking Fees

Hospitals in England have generated a record £300 million from parking fees over the past year, with patients and visitors contributing over £213 million and staff paying close to £87 million. This marks a 10% increase from the previous year's £271 million and a 6% rise compared to the prior record of £289 million set in 2019/20.

Since records began in 2018, the National Health Service (NHS) has collected over £1.7 billion from parking payments. The University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust reported the highest revenue, earning £10.2 million, with approximately two-thirds of this amount coming from patients and visitors.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust ranked second, collecting nearly £7 million, with staff contributing slightly more than patients and visitors. The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust was third, receiving £6.4 million, with over 70% paid by patients and visitors.

In contrast, some trusts reported significantly lower parking revenues. Devon Partnership NHS Trust collected £23,486, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust received £17,544, and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust gathered £12,872.

Politicians have labeled the charges a "tax on the sick," with Clive Jones MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for care, stating that "going to see a poorly loved one or attending an appointment should never mean anxiously watching the clock on a parking ticket." He also criticized the fees imposed on NHS staff, arguing that "nurses and care workers, who are already pushed to their limits, are paying more than ever simply to get to their shift." Jones urged the government to reduce these "unfair charges."

NHS trusts, which are responsible for managing local health services, determine their own parking policies and fees. In recent years, some trusts have substantially increased their tariffs. For example, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust raised fees for one to two hours from £2.40 to £4 and for two to three hours from £3.60 to £6. Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust more than doubled its fee for over 10 hours of parking from £6 to £13.

Regionally, hospitals in the Midlands generated the most revenue, totaling over £60 million, followed by the South East (£49.4 million) and the North West (£48.6 million). Hospitals in London collected almost £35 million, while the South West and East of England each took in just under £30 million.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated that NHS trusts are responsible for car parking charges and that rates are expected to be reasonable and aligned with local areas. The department also noted that free parking is provided for those most in need, including Blue Badge holders, frequent outpatient attendees, parents of sick children staying overnight, and NHS staff working night shifts. Income generated from parking fees is used to maintain facilities, with any surplus reinvested into the NHS.

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