How much did UW hospital take in parking charges last year – UK’s most money-grubbing trusts revealed as NHS rakes in record £243m from ‘tax on the sick’

An NHS trust has been accused of cruelly ‘charging the sick’ after raking in a record £9.2 million in parking charges last year.

The amount held by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is the highest ever recorded by a trust in a single year.

Nationally, the NHS made £173.1 million by charging fees on patients and visitors in 2023/2024 and a further £69.8 million on staff.

The total amount of £242.9 million equates to £4.67 million per week or £27,800 per hour.

Patient groups say the costs can be crippling for those who need to go to the hospital regularly and can deter friends and family from visiting.

Staff also point out the often remote locations of hospitals, with poor public transport links and unsociable working hours, meaning a car can be essential.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust has made more money from parking than any other trust in the last five years.

In total it earned £31.3m in this period and £43m in seven years, according to new figures published by NHS England.

Nationally, trusts have raised £880 million in the last five years and £1.4 billion in the last seven years.

NHS staff benefited from free parking during the pandemic, but some trusts have since reintroduced charges.

Joanna Marchong, research campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Hospital parking charges are the last thing patients, relatives and carers need.

‘They hit vulnerable patients hardest, especially those with chronic conditions who require regular hospital visits.

‘The government must put an end to this health tax.’

Beth McCleverty, policy, research and campaigns manager at baby care charity Bliss, said: ‘Parking charges can place a significant burden on new parents if their baby is born prematurely or sick and needs neonatal care.

The amount held by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is the highest ever recorded by a trust in a single year

‘A neonatal stay in hospital shortly after birth can range from days to weeks or months in hospital, meaning the costs of parking and other essentials such as food and drink, childcare and accommodation for families can be quite significant at a time when they are already under high tension.

‘One in seven babies receive care in a neonatal unit after birth, and at such a critical time for the bond between parents and their vulnerable newborn, it is unacceptable that parents are given the responsibility of being with their baby.

‘Parents with babies receiving neonatal care are not visitors, but essential partners in the care of their baby.

Patient groups say the costs can be crippling for those who need to go to hospital regularly and could put friends and family off visiting

‘Hospital funds must urgently reassess the impact of parking costs on this already vulnerable group.’

The Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto promised to end unfair hospital parking charges by making parking free for those who need it most, including disabled people, frequent outpatient visitors, overnight parents of sick children and night shift staff .

Under current Department of Health and Social Care guidance, parking charges must be ‘reasonable for the area’.

Trusts must provide free parking for disabled people, frequent outpatient visitors, parents of sick children staying overnight and staff working night shifts.

Helen Morgan (must keep), Liberal Democrats’ health and social care spokesperson, said: ‘These fees have become a burden on the care of people in need of treatment, their loved ones and hardworking staff who have to pay to get to work. to go.

‘The previous Conservative government failed to deliver on its promises to end unfair hospital parking charges, and their legacy of failure has left people literally paying the price.

“The new government must immediately address these unfair fees.”

NHS England said parking charges are a way for trusts to manage capacity in their car parks for patients and staff.

The income is used to pay the car park’s operating costs such as security and maintenance, with any excess income reinvested into NHS services.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Hospital parking costs are the responsibility of individual NHS trusts.

‘Free parking is available to all NHS staff working overnight and any charges must be reasonable and in keeping with the local area.

‘All income is used to maintain parking facilities and excess income is returned to the NHS.’