More than half of cancer patients do not get free or discounted parking on hospital visits, contrary to government guidelines, a poll suggests. The Department of Health has recommended NHS trusts in England offer some kind of concession for people who require repeat visits to hospital.
But the Macmillan Cancer Support survey of 337 patients found most did not.
The NHS Confederation said it planned a charter for hospital parking and said fair charges was the best way forward.
Macmillan Cancer Support said the current situation was unfair and was an ”appalling disjointed mess”.
Paying for parking is a controversial issue which the charity has long been campaigning on. Fees are being phased out across the rest of the UK, but in England patients still have to pay. The poll suggested 59% did not get free or discounted parking – and even among those that did just over a tenth said they did not take it up because it was only offered towards the end of their care.
Mike Hobday, head of policy at Macmillan, said: “The entire hospital parking system is an appalling, disjointed mess, which causes cancer patients unnecessary financial hardship and stress.
“When they are in hospital to get life-saving treatment, vulnerable cancer patients are being hit with this extra and unavoidable cost at a time when they should be focussing on their health.
“Frustratingly, even when hospitals have got concessions in place, they are not telling patients about them.”
‘Stressful’
His comments were echoed by Shehnaz Khan, a 52-year-old from Greater London who has been regularly attending hospital since last year for ovarian cancer treatment. She was only recently told about the discount scheme available.
“Going through treatment is tough enough, but when you’re worrying about hospital parking charges too it’s so stressful.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “All trusts should have exemption and concessionary schemes in place to ensure that patients and carers who visit hospital regularly, such as those affected by cancer, are not disadvantaged.
“Trusts are responsible for publicising these schemes to their patients.”
Joe Farrington-Douglas, senior policy manager at the NHS Confederation, which represents trusts, said the organisation was working with hospitals on the issue.
But he added there was a valid reason why hospitals charged for parking. “It is important that funds provided for treatment of patients are not used to subsidise car parking.
“Fair parking charges – properly explained and enforced in an even handed manner, are an important way of ensuring that does not happen.”
BBC.CO.UK