Campaigners have criticised plans to charge disabled people for parking at hospital appointments.

Blue badge holders have previously been able to park for free while attending appointments or visiting loved ones.

But several hospital car parks have begun charging disabled patients and visitors up to £7.50 per visit in a bid to raise extra cash.

Some of the latest to abolish free parking include Kidderminster Hospital in Worcestershire, with Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust in Merseyside set to follow.

Parking charges raised more than £100m in 2010, and hospital managers hope that the latest plans will increase this figure.

The Department of Health said parking charges were decided by individual trusts.

But Patients Association chief executive Katherine Murphy said: “Hospitals should be properly supported by the government and should not be making ends meet by charging the most vulnerable members of society to park.”

 

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