Fleecing the sick: William Harvey hospital share in £1.6 million car park profit

Kent County Lib Dems have renewed requests for a review of car parking charges at William Harvey Hospital. The move comes after it was revealed that the hospital trust ranks the fifth highest earner of car park income in the country. East Kent Hospital Trust received an income of over £1.6million from car park fees.

Last year Lib Dem Kent County Councillor George Koowaree handed over a petition requesting a review of charges. A key suggestion was that patients and visitors to the William Harvey Hospital should be able to pay for up to one hour's parking rather than the current minimum charge of £1.70 for three hours.

George says:

"I am disgusted that the hospital trust is raking in money in this way from patients and visitors who may have no choice but to use the car parks. Now we know they are amongst the top five earners from parking in the country, it is time for East Kent Trust to look again at the minimum three hour rule which penalises patients, visitors and staff."

George has written to Howard Jones, Director of Facilities, asking him to review the charges and agree to a more flexible approach.

East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust made £1,679,217 in car park fees income for the year 2005-06. The trust is ranked 5th out of 176 hospital trusts which provided details of car park charges, out of a total of 249 hospital trusts in the country.