Calls to abolish 'outrageous' hospital parking fees

The multi-storey at Yeovil Hospital is run by Parkingeye but owned by Simply Serve Ltd, a subsidiary company of the NHS trust

Patients and staff have called for a hospital trust to abolish "outrageous" car parking charges, amid growing anger and frustration.

The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil Hospital, uses private companies to manage its car parks.

Ray Tostevin, from the Yeovil and District Trades Union Council, said staff are "saddled with paying exorbitant charges".

But the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) chief executive Jonathan Higman said using private companies ensures more money can be spent on "front-line treatment for patients".

A freedom of information (FOI) request by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) showed that £40,301 of income and revenue was generated from the multi-storey car park at Yeovil Hospital in the 2023/24 financial year, Mr Tostevin said.

It currently costs £15 to park all day at the Parkingeye site.

An FOI for details of the contract with Q-Park, at Musgrove Park Hospital, yielded only limited information due to commercial confidentiality, Mr Tostevin added.

Musgrove Park Hospital has a multi-storey car park run by Q-Park, a private company

Mr Tostevin criticised the fees and a lack of transparency, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Speaking at an NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) meeting on 25 July, he called for the "exorbitant charges" to be scrapped.

Mr Tostevin said: “How aware is the ICB of the mounting anger and frustration felt by staff and the public over the increasingly high cost of hospital parking in Somerset?"

He also questioned whether the fees have been discussed by the ICB, and if any action has been taken to address the concerns.

“I know I speak for many when I say hospital car parking charges are absolutely outrageous – it’s iniquitous. They shouldn’t be there," Mr Tostevin added.

'Significant pressures'

Mr Higman added that there is a "balance to be struck" and there are "significant pressures" on parking availability.

“I know from previous experience there is nothing worse than arriving for an outpatient appointment and not being able to get a parking space, with the added stress that provides," he said.

He added that the ICB has not yet discussed the parking fees, but acknowledged the cost of living pressures many are currently facing.

“The trust has told the board that they are committed to working in partnership with trade unions on a range of concerns their members have raised about parking and transport – this isn’t just about the car parking, it’s about the alternatives as well," he added.

Parking fees do not apply to some outpatients or parents and guardians accompanying children overnight. Blue badge holders and staff working nights are eligible for concessions.