Ban parking companies from profiteering at public hospitals
The Issue
I have frequent NHS appointments and have gone into financial difficulties just funding the parking fees alone - most of which comes from delays internally at the hospital and lack of parking spaces. Yet they charge you from the second you arrive via ANPR cameras. This unjust system places undue financial burdens on patients and families, many of whom are already under significant stress.
In numerous cases, individuals attending medical appointments, including those with long-term health conditions or who are undergoing ongoing treatments, face exorbitant parking fees at NHS hospitals. This issue is compounded by the additional stress patients experience when appointments overrun or spaces are scarce, forcing them to spend more time and, consequently, more money.
Parking companies operate with a primary focus on profit, disregarding the socio-economic realities and the unintended pressure they place on individuals seeking essential medical services. The NHS, funded by taxpayers, should ensure access to healthcare without additional, unwarranted financial strains.
According to figures from the NHS, hospitals in England earned over £254 million from parking charges in a single year. This staggering figure represents a major revenue stream that disproportionately affects patients and their families, rather than hospital administrative costs or staff remuneration. Notably, a significant portion of hospital visitors are there for routine or life-saving treatments; the financial implications of such parking charges can be devastating.
We propose that parking at NHS hospitals should be free for patients and visitors. By implementing free parking, we can lessen the financial burden on those already in stressful health situations. Alternatively, the government should cap parking fees to a nominal amount, ensuring they are affordable and justly reflect operational costs without exploiting vulnerable individuals.
By signing this petition, we urge the UK government to intervene and regulate parking companies operating on NHS premises. We seek reasonable adjustments to current policies to support patients and their families, ensuring fair and equitable access to healthcare services without imposing additional financial hardship. Your signature can make a difference in advocating for a more compassionate and equitable system.
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The Issue
I have frequent NHS appointments and have gone into financial difficulties just funding the parking fees alone - most of which comes from delays internally at the hospital and lack of parking spaces. Yet they charge you from the second you arrive via ANPR cameras. This unjust system places undue financial burdens on patients and families, many of whom are already under significant stress.
In numerous cases, individuals attending medical appointments, including those with long-term health conditions or who are undergoing ongoing treatments, face exorbitant parking fees at NHS hospitals. This issue is compounded by the additional stress patients experience when appointments overrun or spaces are scarce, forcing them to spend more time and, consequently, more money.
Parking companies operate with a primary focus on profit, disregarding the socio-economic realities and the unintended pressure they place on individuals seeking essential medical services. The NHS, funded by taxpayers, should ensure access to healthcare without additional, unwarranted financial strains.
According to figures from the NHS, hospitals in England earned over £254 million from parking charges in a single year. This staggering figure represents a major revenue stream that disproportionately affects patients and their families, rather than hospital administrative costs or staff remuneration. Notably, a significant portion of hospital visitors are there for routine or life-saving treatments; the financial implications of such parking charges can be devastating.
We propose that parking at NHS hospitals should be free for patients and visitors. By implementing free parking, we can lessen the financial burden on those already in stressful health situations. Alternatively, the government should cap parking fees to a nominal amount, ensuring they are affordable and justly reflect operational costs without exploiting vulnerable individuals.
By signing this petition, we urge the UK government to intervene and regulate parking companies operating on NHS premises. We seek reasonable adjustments to current policies to support patients and their families, ensuring fair and equitable access to healthcare services without imposing additional financial hardship. Your signature can make a difference in advocating for a more compassionate and equitable system.
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Petition created on 7 July 2026