Anger as parking fees at Royal Preston Hospital double
A regular visitor to a Lancashire hospital has said she is angry car parking charges have doubled.
The Royal Preston Hospital is now charging £3.00 a day to park at the hospital in Fulwood.
Christine Walmsley, who has regular treatment at the hospital after a hip operation, said she was appalled at the increase.
The hospital said it was the first increase in visitor charges since 2004 and some patients were exempt.
Ms Walmsley said: "I think the way they've done it has been absolutely appalling. I think it's been very badly handled.
"I understand the need to put prices up, though I query whether a 100% increase is appropriate."
Miles Timperley, director of facilities and services for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "Following a review of car parking charges and after careful consideration, we have decided to increase visitor car parking charges to £3.00 per day from January 2012.
"We believe the car parks should be self-financing, and be operated and maintained without subsidy from patient care budgets.
"The additional income the increase will generate will be used to improve car parking facilities, such as access for disabled drivers, and any surplus will be reinvested in patient care."
He also said that parking for registered disabled drivers and patients who require regular or long-term care would be exempt from the charges.