Norfolk & Norwich Hospital Challenged Over Parking Charges

9.26.00am GMT Mon 3rd Mar 2008

The Welsh Assembly has announced that car parking at all hospitals in Wales will be free by 2011. The announcement comes at a time when charges have been put in the spotlight locally, with the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital coming out as one of the biggest beneficiaries in the country of car park charges, bringing in £1.2 million a year.

The N&N Hospital has now been challenged to justify these receipts. Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Norwich South, has put a Freedom of Information request to the hospital's Chief Executive, Paul Forden, to justify the charges.

"It doesn't seem fair to anyone that the hospitals should profit from those who are using their car parks out of need," says Mr Wright. "Many patients and visitors, particularly in rural parts of Norfolk, simply don't have the option of using public transport. Some people feel that they're paying twice for treatment - once through general taxation, but also through these additional charges. The difference is that while everyone pays through general taxation, its often the most vulnerable in society who end up paying extra charges such as for car parking."

"I have challenged the hospital to justify how it can continue to bring in such large sums of money through these charges. We all deserve to know where the money raised is going, and how patient care benefits."

"I have also written to the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, to ask him whether he will follow the lead of the Welsh Assembly and look to introduce free car parking for our hospitals in England."