St James's Hospital named as one of England's most expensive to park in for an hour
Hospital bosses are defending the costs.
Last updated 27th Dec 2018
More than 4 in 10 NHS hospitals have increased their prices for car parking in the last year, an investigation has found.
Some NHS trusts have doubled the cost of a stay for patients and visitors.
Freedom of Information data analysed by the Press Association shows that hospitals in England are making more money than ever from charging visitors, staff and patients.
Some 124 NHS trusts responded to the Press Association request for data on parking charges.
Of these, 53 (43%) said they had increased prices in the last year for visitors or staff, or both.
Meanwhile, 71 (57%) said they had not put up their prices.
At St James's Hospital in Leeds an hours parking costs £2.90, one of the most expensive charges in England.
However, the £2.90 does provide you with a 2 hour minimum stay.
Figures also found at nearby Airedale NHS Foundation Trust in West Yorkshire, a stay of four to 24 hours cost £8 in 2017/18, up from £3.50 the year before.
Defending the costs
Bosses at St James's hospital are defending the costs, saying it helps pay for building, maintenance and security.
A spokesperson added: "Our minimum charge at the majority of our hospital sites is two hours as we know that, in many cases, one hour is just not enough for appointments and visits.
"As our hospitals are very close to the city centre, our rates are set in line with surrounding car parks otherwise they would become full very quickly with people parking to go into town or work. This would leave fewer spaces for patients and visitors needing to come into hospital."
A Department of Health spokesman said: "We have made it very clear that patients, their families and our hardworking staff should not be subjected to unfair parking charges.
"NHS trusts are responsible for these charges and ensuring revenue goes back into frontline services, and we want to see trusts coming up with options that put staff, patients and their families first."
Labour are describing the car parking figures as "a tax on the sick", pledging the next Labour government would abolish them.