A CAMPAIGN has been launched calling for the end of “rip-off” car park fees at Kidderminster Hospital.

Councillor Michael Wrench, leader of Wyre Forest UKIP party, said the charges were a burden that hit people when they were most vulnerable and wants to see them abolished.

Almost 500 people signed the party’s petition in Kidderminster on Saturday, January 17, and they will be canvassing more people outside the Guild Hall in Bewdley tomorrow (January 24) from 9am and in Stourport High Street on January 31, again from 9am.

Current parking charges, which were set by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust on January 5, are £2.50 for up to an hour, £3.70 for 1-2 hours, £4.50 for 2-4 hours, £6 for 4-6 hours and £7.50 for 6-24 hours.

The Trust said income generated goes back into supplementing funding for frontline services, as well as maintaining the car park, and it works to keep charges in line or cheaper than average local hospital parking fees.

But Councillor Wrench said: “We have always said that hospital car park charges are an unnecessary burden, and Wyre Forest UKIP believes patients and visitors attending Kidderminster Hospital should be able to focus on getting better, not worrying about topping up the parking meter.

“Hospital parking fees exploit the sick and their family, hitting them when they are at their most vulnerable. This hospital car park rip-off must end.

“We collected more than 480 signatures in just a few short hours in Kidderminster, which just goes to show how strongly people feel about these unnecessary charges.”

Chris Tidman, Director of Resources for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We regularly benchmark our car parking charges carefully against other local hospital trusts to ensure that our charges remain in line with, or cheaper, than the average hospital car park charges.

“The majority of income gained from car park charges is invested back into the maintenance and upgrade of our car parking and road systems, as well as providing security. Any surplus is then used to supplement the limited funding available for frontline NHS services.

“We know from the feedback we get from patients and visitors that car parking continues to be an issue. To improve patient and visitor experience, we are therefore planning to increase the number of disabled and regular car park spaces available at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site as well as introducing central control and pay facilities to ensure a smooth exit and payment experience.

“We have introduced free 20 minute drop off zones outside all entrances across all three sites. As many of our patients require regular visits to our hospitals we also offer a special concessionary parking charge of £1 per day for parents visiting children in our care, patients with cancer and other long-stay patients and their visitors.”