Hospital parking fees scandal continues as analysis shows one site charges £76 A DAY 

Hospitals are putting pressure on ambulance services by charging patients up to £76.80 a day to park, campaigners warned yesterday.

They said sky-high parking fees mean many ailing Britons can no longer afford to drive to A&E and rely on 999 vehicles.

The researchers looked at parking charges at 120 hospitals in England and found that St Thomas’s Hospital in central London was the most expensive at £3.20 per hour – £76.80 per day. Seven of the ten most expensive car parks for a 24-hour stay were in the capital.

The most expensive outside of London was Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge, which charges £22, according to research by car dealership Motorfinity.

Guidance from the Department of Health says NHS hospitals can charge for parking, but prices must be “reasonable for the area”.

Hospitals are putting pressure on ambulance services by charging patients up to £76.80 a day to park, campaigners warned yesterday. Pictured: Darlington’s Memorial Hospital parking lot

Trusts are required to offer free parking to some groups, including disabled patients and overnight parents of sick children.

Conservative MP Sir Mike Penning, who has campaigned against hospital parking fees, said: “Drivers are being ripped off by trusts that charge exorbitant fees and use car parks as sources of income, which is morally wrong.”

“If patients can’t afford to park, they will pass that pressure on to others, whether it’s a friend, a relative or the ambulance service.”

Dean Skiba of Motorfinity said: “Some of the charges found in this investigation are quite striking.”

A spokesperson for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust said: “The cost of parking at £3.20 an hour… is in line with local parking facilities.”

Saffron Cordery, from NHS Providers, which represents the trusts, said: “We urge people to call 999 and request an ambulance in a real emergency.