Press Release

Contact: Richard Burt 07970 713 032
Embargo: Immediate 27th March 2007

‘£1,296,307 A YEAR IS WHAT WE PAID TO PARK IN WORCESTERSHIRE HOSPITALS’ – RICHARD BURT

Figures uncovered by West Worcestershire’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt reveal that Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust is one of highest earning Trusts for car parking charges in the country, coining in over one and a quarter million pounds a year – the eleventh highest total out of 250 Trusts.

According to a list released by the Estates Return Information Collection for 2005/6, patients and visitors have shelled out vast sums of cash to visit hospital for treatment or to spend time with friends or family on wards.

Richard Burt said:

“I am very concerned about the level of funding which now comes from car parking charges.

“The cost of parking has gone through the roof and, for patients who have to undergo treatment regularly, the charges can be a real financial burden.

MacMillan Cancer Support have also raised concerns about the level of charges for those receiving regular cancer treatment.

“It seems perverse that one of the most expensive places to park these days is in a hospital car park, and there really isn’t any choice for many who have to make regular journeys to hospital from rural areas,” added Mr Burt.

ends