AN MP has called for an end to "extortionate" parking charges after it was revealed the trust running Southampton's hospital made nearly £4million from parking charges.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that the University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust netted £3.87million in 2014/15, with £1.2million of that coming from its own staff - making the highest profit in the country.

One MP has called for an end to "extortionate" fees while another called for a review into the charges.

NHS trusts across the country have been accused of imposing a "tax on sick people" after an investigation revealed seven have made more than £3million from parking fees.

Southampton's £3.87million made this year is up on the 2013/14 figure of £3.5million and is significantly higher than the £3.72million and £3.41million raked in the by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Heart of England NHS Foundation Trusts respectively.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith admitted he feels the UHS charges are too high, and called for the introduction of a basic fee.

He said: "I think there should be a flat £2.50 daily rate. The car parks have to be maintained so a charge is inevitable but extortionate charges are unacceptable.

"Any decreases in parking rates should not come from medical services but efficiency savings elsewhere."

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead added: "They have to run the car parks but certainly I think at the very least there should be a review into what gets charged for what.

"It just doesn't seem right to me that if you have to go for a number of repeat appointments and you are charged, that's a very substantial burden on an individual over a period."

Parking in the area hit headlines earlier this year when plans for a new £8 million multi-storey car park at the hospital were given the green light.

The proposals were revealed in the Daily Echo as part of a £12million plan to improve parking and access in and out of the hospital.

It will be built in a site off Laundry Road and will only be four storeys on the side fronting nearby homes and while it is intended to be used by staff, hospital chiefs say it will ease pressure elsewhere on the site and free up spaces for patients and visitors.

Dr Cathy Paget, who works at Southampton General Hospital, said: "Paying to park at the place you work has become normal for most junior doctors, it is one of many compulsory costs like paying for portfolios, exams, training courses, General Medical Council registration, medico-legal insurance, college membership, that junior doctors have to bear to allow them to do their job and that the general public are probably unaware of.

"I think it's very difficult for hospitals that are universally being inadequately funded by government not to raise money by any means open to them.

"My wish is that Jeremy Hunt and the department of health provide better for the NHS, funds that allow hospitals to fully and appropriately meet the needs of their patients and so that hospital management are not forced to raise funds in this way."

Residents living near the hospital have called for extra safety measures and blamed visitors, patients and staff for parking and blocking driveways and roads in the area.

They are urging traffic chiefs and hospital bosses to take action before more lives are put at risk.

Concerned neighbours want parking permits introduced on their road and the hospital to build more car parks and reduce fees to help curb the problem.

They are also appealing to First bus company to redirect its number 1 service away from their road, saying the buses are adding to their problems.

Grandmother-of-six Sally Meredith said there are regular accidents on the road. The 64- year-old, of Palm Road, said: "It’s dangerous. I’ve had an accident on this road before because cars are parked too close to the junctions and you can’t see."

Coxford ward councillor Don Thomas said: "Parking problems for these residents have grown out of control over the last years with no one wanting to take responsibility.

"Hospital users and staff would rather park for free than pay the scandalous parking charges but it’s not fair for Coxford residents."

Daily Echo:

A spokesman for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust defended its policy of parking prices and said: "This figure demonstrates the large and increasing number of staff, patients and visitors who are using our car parks and are travelling further to work or to be treated here rather than the cost of a ticket, which is comparable with similar hospital trusts.

"We offer a wide range of concessions for patients, particularly those receiving long-term treatment, as well as the option of purchasing seven, 14 or 30-day tickets which bring charges down considerably, while refunds are available for some patients and visitors who receive certain benefits.

"There are no charges at Countess Mountbatten House where our palliative service for cancer patients is provided.

"For staff, those who have a permit for full on-site parking pay a monthly fee linked to their pay band, with a number of other options available that can reduce the cost of parking and the volume of traffic on our sites, such as a discounted car share scheme and two nearby park and ride facilities.

"Any revenue which is not allocated to upkeep, security or improvement of our car parks is invested directly into supporting frontline patient services."

Discounts and concessions include:

  • Visitor/outpatient long-stay discount – 7/14/30 day ticket for £18/£33/£48 for multiple use by more than one person or car (not both on site at the same time)
  • Long-stay child resident discount – parent or carer can purchase a long stay 7/14/30 day pass at a discounted rate of 50% against the normal tariff (listed above)
  • Children’s oncology (Piam Brown) visitor/outpatient – £2 ticket
  • Renal (dialysis)/endoscopy/neonatal/neuro – £1 ticket
  • Paediatric renal outpatients – £1 ticket
  • Radiotherapy/chemotherapy/haematology/haemodialysis – £2 ticket