Hospital parking hike adds stress, patients say
A hike in parking costs at several hospitals will cause "additional stress" for pregnant patients, an antenatal expert said. On Friday the cost to park
A hike in parking costs at several hospitals will cause "additional stress" for pregnant patients, an antenatal expert said. On Friday the cost to park at Basildon University Hospital, Broomfield Hospital, Southend University Hospital and Orsett Hospital increased by about 50% and free parking at the sites reduced from 30 to 20 minutes.
Priyanka Salamonczyk said she spent £97.10 parking at Broomfield Hospital to attend appointments when she was pregnant, which would now cost £142.50. The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSENFT) said its operational costs were increasing and some visitors would still be eligible for free parking, such as chemotherapy patients and blue badge holders.
She had a high-risk pregnancy and hospital appointments "every other day" in the final few weeks, she added. From 31 July hourly parking charges will
increase, such as the cost of three hours of parking will rise from £4 to £6 and the daily rate will grow from £10 to £18.
The BriefWire