A Suffolk NHS trust was amongst the top ten with the highest income from car park charges and another trust saw its revenue from fees increase by over 60%, according to new NHS England data.
Statistics show West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (WSNFT), which runs West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds, made £1,084,639 in parking revenue from patients and visitors for the year 2022/23.
In 2021/22 the trust took £665,262 in car parking fees, meaning this year saw a revenue increase of 63%.
Meanwhile, at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), which runs Ipswich Hospital and Colchester Hospital, made £2,525,138 in patient and visitor parking fees for 2022/23, 45.5% more than the £1,735,240 made the previous year.
ESNEFT came in at number eight in the top ten NHS trusts with the highest income from car parking charges.
Mark Johnston-Wood, deputy director of estates and facilities at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We provide healthcare to thousands of people every day and we must provide safe car parking facilities for our patients and visitors.
“The income generated from parking charges at our Trust enables us to continue to maintain our car parking and travel facilities, including security, lighting, and surfacing across our sites.
“However, free car parking for 30 minutes is available to everyone for drop-offs and pick-ups, and our charges do not apply to patients and visitors who are entitled to free parking.
"They include blue badge holders, patients receiving cancer treatment, frequent outpatient attenders and parents of sick children staying in hospital overnight.
“Although car parking is not free for all visitors, our daily charges are reduced through our three, five and seven-day permits to support relatives of patients who are in hospital for longer lengths of time," he added.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust offers 5,000 car parking spaces across its sites.
For staff, car parking charges depend on pay with those who earn more paying a higher daily charge. The daily charge for a registered nurse (band 5) is 67p.
In line with national guidance for all NHS trusts, staff working nights receive free parking for the duration of their shift at ESNEFT.
A West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson said: "Any surplus income the Trust makes from car parking is reinvested into patient care and services after regular expenses are deducted.
"This includes car parking management fees and investment in two free park and ride shuttle bus services for staff from two offsite parking locations in Bury St Edmunds through to the West Suffolk Hospital site.
"While the Trust charges for parking, we do have free parking and concessionary rates available for the individuals and families in greatest need because we understand how difficult it can be when you or a loved one are sick."
WSNFT has seen an increase in patients and visitors since covid-19 restrictions were lifted and activity increased at the site.
A spokesperson confirmed free parking is in place for certain groups including blue badge holders, overnight parking for parents of children who are staying in hospital, parents of babies on the neo-natal unit and hospice patients and visitors.
Parking is free for up to 20 minutes with various pick up points available around the West Suffolk Hospital site.
On the whole, hospital trusts made £145.9 million in income from patients and visitors’ car parking fees in 2022/23.
This is up by more than 50% from £96.7m the previous year, and triple the £47.9m made from parking fees two years ago.
The Liberal Democrats, who uncovered the figures, are calling on the Government to introduce a ‘Visiting and Caring Fund’ to ensure that no one is shelling out unfair sums to visit their loved ones and to support NHS staff with parking charges.
Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson, Daisy Cooper MP, said: "Hospital car parking fees are becoming a tax on caring for visitors and our hard-working NHS staff."
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