NHS Hospital parking charges

viridens said:

I recently took an ex-army disabled cousin to a hospital appointment (at The Princess Royal Hosp, Haywards Heath). The minimum parking charge was £1.50, and there was no reduction for his disabled 'blue badge'.

Most folks are not visiting hospitals by choice, whether they are patients or visitors. They are just a soft target for hospital highwaymen. Although it is claimed that the money collected will be used used for hospital improvements, I am not convinced. There is also the cost of ticket machines, security staff etc to enforce parking rules.

I feel extra sorry for the disabled like my cousin who do not even have the choice to travel by bus, and can't afford taxis (who can?). These parking charges are a tax on their disability.

What do you think?

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franco78 said:

Disabled parking should be free. As for the idea of charging it depends on where the hospital is. Sometimes it is the only way to stop people using the car park when they are not even using the services of the hospital - commuters etc.

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