37 NHS Trusts Raise Hospital Parking Charges Over Two Years

Patient advocates criticize the increases as unfair, while NHS leaders cite financial pressures as the driving factor.

A quarter of NHS trusts in England, 37 out of 147, increased parking fees between April 2022 and March 2024.
Patient groups argue the hikes disproportionately burden unwell individuals and families during a cost-of-living crisis.
NHS leaders state that financial constraints make it impossible to maintain free parking without diverting funds from healthcare services.
Free parking remains available for NHS staff working overnight, and charges must align with local area standards, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Urban and city-center hospitals face particular challenges due to high demand for parking spaces.