Hospital defends decision to raise parking charges

An NHS foundation has defended an increase in hospital parking fees after a review of their current charges.

Increases at Salisbury District Hospital's car park in Wiltshire include a 96% rise for two hours of parking - from £2.70 to £5.30.

Kez Adey, who has stage three cervical cancer and visits the hospital each week for chemotherapy, told BBC Wiltshire the changes were "worrying" and "ridiculous" for people who need to visit the hospital "through no fault of their own."

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust managing director Nick Johnson said the "difficult decision" had been taken to "achieve greater financial sustainability" for the hospital.

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust has control over the car parks and sets prices and enforcement with APCOA which provides the technology.

The Trust said money collected from parking fees is invested "to support the provision of patient services" and the rise in cost comes due to inflation which has impacted the cost of maintaining the car park infrastructure and parking technology.

Adey, who is also chair of DIGS Salisbury which seeks to improve disabled access around the city, said some people "pay a fortune through parking" and she had spent nearly £100 for parking over 10 weeks of chemotherapy.

She added: "It's expensive enough already without charges going up."

Other examples of rising charges include a 45% rise for one hour of parking, from £2 to £2.90, and an 89% increase from £8 to £15.10 for a 12-24 hour period.

A stay of 30 minutes still remains free for visitors with exemptions for certain patients.

Johnson, of the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said visitors should visit the hospital website for information on possible exemptions or discounts for parking.

He continued: "There are a number of discounts and exemptions available for those on lower incomes, and those who need to make regular trips to the hospital.

"There is no charge for parents of children staying overnight, oncology patients, patients admitted via the Emergency Department or those visiting someone at end of life plus blue badge holders and motorcycles."

The review of tariffs came after rates at nearby hospitals such as Southampton and Bath were analysed by the Trust.

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